Powerhouse Parramatta

Dear Sir

I believe the Power House Museum should not be relocated and do not want to see Will Grove demolished.

Social history and the loss of sense of place and character of Parramatta are important. These have not been adequately
studied and reported on in the Environmental Impact Statement.

Willow Grove is important to women’s history as a maternity hospital for over three decades for people of Parramatta to the early 1950s.

Overall cumulative impacts of further heritage destruction in Parramatta currently been undertaken, make Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces vital to retain for communities’ sense of place.

Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces are rare examples of architecture that no longer exist in Parramatta CBD and should be retained.

Please note I have not made any reportable political donations.

Please withhold my name from being published with my submission.

Dear Mr Jennejohn,

I appreciate and value the little bit of History in Australia which is still remaining and I strongly believe that too much has already been demolished, destroyed or ruined. Our Historical buildings and areas need to be protected for us and future generations.
We cannot afford to destroy the wonderful ‘one of a kind’ Willow Grove plus the St Georges Terraces (and both of their potential archaeological sites) as they are rare examples of architecture that will no longer exist in Parramatta’s CBD when they are demolished.
We have so few places with such high Heritage value left in this State and their worth both in places to visit and understand how Parramatta & indeed how Sydney began is too important to destroy for us and future generations.
I believe that the importance of these buildings in Historical terms can never be duplicated and therefore they must be preserved and cared for as their loss will be a irreversible loss of conservation values that constitute the heritage significance for Parramatta’s CBD.
The Wonderful heritage gardens containing some 55 substantial trees around these buildings will be a unacceptable loss for the Community and wildlife alike if this relocation proceeds. The mature trees provide a picturesque garden setting of a substantial size and are in good condition, thereby detrimentally impacting the cultural significance of the area if they are removed.

The sad recent loss of the Heritage Royal Oaks Hotel and other buildings due to the unwanted Light Rail (a total failure in the CBD SE line) will see another 2000 trees removed from the Cumberland Estate and along the route. This is unacceptable to me and a large portion of Australians.
I cannot understand how the State Government can ignore our important History and the Communities objections with a recent petition signed by 14,000 people wishing to protect Willow Grove and the St Georges Terraces; along with Historic House Association and National Trust of Australia (NSW). All have condemned the Governments decision to continue on this path of destruction.
My enquiries have shown me that there has been a lack of any consultation that was genuine and meaningful with the Community regarding what cultural precinct and museum they wanted or needed.
How can the Government intend to spend $1.5 billion to move a museum, when half of these costs are going into relocation of exhibits, storage for years while Parramatta is being built and flood mitigation of the unsuitable site?

Plans on a massive scale which will see the western building being 17 storeys and the eastern building 14 storeys). A monstrosity that will dominate the streetscape and will be out of character with the surrounding area.
I want to keep the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo a location that I, my children and grandchildren have visited over the years and learnt and experienced new and exciting things that have left us with special memories.
A smaller museum in Parramatta will never have the same impact and experience as the varied and wonderful exhibitions displayed at the Powerhouse in Ultimo. It has delighted and opened the hearts and minds of my family and friends for the last 50 years or so.
Keep it where it is and how it is and Save Willow Grove and the St George Terraces at the same time.
A Win for good planning and just the way that the Community have said (loud and clear) that they want to see this proposal, cancelled and the beauty, heritage and culture to remain as it stands today.

I OBJECT TO THE POWERHOUSE PARRAMATTA PROJECT - SAVE WILLOWGROVE

Moving the Powerhouse to Parramatta is ridiculous, especially because it requires the demolition of the beautiful and historically significant Willowgrove. It is just more heritage destruction in Parramatta, soon we will have no history left. I live in Parramatta and have no desire whatsoever to have the Powerhouse here. Why not put the funds towards reinstating the few heritage buildings we have left, so that the very important history of the area is remembered?

I have made no reportable political donations I am happy to have my name published with your submission

“I strongly OBJECT to the Powerhouse Museum Parramatta Project and the demolition of “Willow Grove” and “St George’s Terrace”

1. We have lost too many of our historic buildings already and really need to keep the ones that are left
2. Also it is very important to keep the history of Willow Grove as a maternity hospital for over three decades I was born there as was my sister, brothers and husband from 1945 - 1952 When it is gone we will no longer be able to show our children and grandchildren the place we were born 3. Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace are great examples of architecture that no Longer exists in Parramatta 4. Couldn’t this beautiful building which is a museum in its own making become part of the New Museum as in a souvenir shop and cafe. It would be a beautiful place to take family and friends after visiting the New Museum PLEASE, PLEASE. DO NOT DESTROY.

Regards. Sue Ellis

I am emailing to voice my objection to the Parramatta Powerhouse project. Willow House is part of history and must be heritage lusted. Please help.

I wish to object to the proposed closure of the Powerhouse Museum and the sale of the land by the Berejiklian government.
There are many reasons for my objection including the destruction of Willowtree in Parramatta and building on a floodplain. There is also the fact that displays for which the Ultimo site was specifically built to showcase, will be lost forever.
There is also the fact that many tourists and visitors to NSW from overseas and interstate, will not visit Parramatta as they deem it too far and want to fit it in to a tight schedule of sightseeing in the CBD of Sydney.
Lastly bit not lastly, is the fact that many voters and taxpayers, including me, expect the government to represent the voting public and not be driven by greed or profit-making. Many many people object to this and our voices are not being heard, our wishes are being totally disregarded.

I wish to formally register my strong objection to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project.

My primary reason is the planned destruction of Willow Grove. Willow Grove is a significant part of Australia’s history and I believe we have to preserve Australia’s history for current and future generations. What would NSW be like with no buildings such as Willow Grove that we can step inside and go back in time? How can we educate our children without such buildings where they can get an immediate appreciation and understanding of our history?

I strongly believe we have an opportunity to preserve Willow Grove and perpetuate and be proud of our history by NOT demolishing this super important and beautiful building.

The Royal Oak has gone forever, I’m praying Willow Grove survives.

Dear Sir

I would like to add my feeling on destroying this building for the sake of building the new Powerhouse Museum (when the government has funds and knocking down history to preserve history) on this site. Even though I am living in Queensland now, but I grew up in Wentworthville, left there only in 2016, had many jobs in the Parramatta district and often walk past this beautiful building. I thought that the government were going to use the land where Parramatta Golf Course was situated, which would have been a better choice, especially for parking etc. If we had people, like the late Jack Mundy who saved The Rocks area, Parramatta will have a wealth of history in early settlement architecture that should be preserved. Will Hambledon Cottage or Experiment Cottage be next on the list?

What happens if the building is pulled down and during excavations Aboriginal relics are found, will the 'local tribe elders' come in and say this is a sacred site and the government can't build on it for this reason (which has happened before).

History is history, no matter who made it! We need it and so do the next generations, especially those from countries who have more ancient civilisations, to see where how this country has been transforms over the eons. We have become a nation of different cultures and we must preserve them all, so please think again before totally spoiling Parramatta.

I was so sad to see that there has been a proposal to demolish Willow Grove Villa and St Georges Terraces.

I really feel that there aren't a great deal of historical sites in Australia and that it is so important to preserve the ones that we have. We need to learn from our history and have these sites available for people to visit and learn from.

It would be an absolute tragedy should this go ahead.

Thank you for your consideration,

Please do not demolish Willow Grove. I cant believe that after all the complaints that planning is still going ahead. What on earth does it take for people to understand different. We want this lovely old building. If you idiots have already committed yourselves and sold Ultimo even after all the objections then that your problem. Start listening to people. DO NOT KNOCK DOWN THIS PROPERTY.

I consider this planned move a severe waste of public money and resources, and a destructive act against heritage. Further, it is clearly unwanted by the public and a source of great frustration to democratic processes and community lives.

Put a stop to it now!

as a long term resident of Parramatta-60years-and a former councillor on Parramatta council, i protest about thepowerhouse museum site.my objection is the site it not suitable for many reasons.,the main one is the traffic situation,Parramatta is a small area of CBD already Parramatta is not a place to visit as parking isimpossible, also i recall 2 major floods of the river in 1988 when the Lennox bridge was almost covered in flood water.the siteof the old hospital mental would be a far better choice,.i trust my objection will be noted.there are numerous other reasons for a re-think on the planned move that i am sure you are aware. I concern, as a long time resident is that PARRAMATTA will lose its character and sense of history as the cradle city of the nation.

Please stop the imminent destruction of the World Class Powerhouse Museum

Your shameless Government has no right to destroy what belongs to ALL Australians.
It is crystal clear that your only reason for destroying the Museum is to hand the site to developer mates.
You still have time to act with integrity and stop This disgraceful destruction.
Please do so
STOP THIS DISGRACEFUL and DISHONEST DESTRUCTION

Dear Mr. Rob Stokes MP,

I would like to support the retention of historic buildings of Willow Grove and the St Georges Terraces at Parramatta. These two sites are part of our history in the area from the early days of settlement.

I would like to see the current Powerhouse Museum at Pyrmont retained as this is a very important asset to the history of Sydney and a major tourist attraction for our city. It has a fine collection of our early settlement and industrial history that should be kept on display for our future generations of students and tourists.

A major new museum in Parramatta is needed to display our current history. It could be built around these historic buildings beside the Parramatta River. Since this area is known to flood the car park for the new Museum of Parramatta could be built underneath to allow the flood surge to pass under the building when required. The height of the building could be increased to compensate for the loss of floor space lost for retaining the existing historic buildings. Even the old buildings could be incorporated into the new building as the entrance, administration offices, food court and retail shop for the museum.

The current proposed museum site beside the river is good as the river ferries from Sydney dock close by at the Parramatta weir to allow easy access for the tourists. It is a beautiful trip up the harbour similar to the way the area was serviced in the early days of settlement.

Please consider these thoughts in the long-range planning of our great cities of Sydney and Parramatta.

Remember over 10% of Australia's population lives in the greater metropolitan area of Sydney west of Parramatta and the number is increasing every year with the new housing developments.

I am writing this too you as a very concerned person who doesn't like our Heritage been torn down for a Museum that should never be moved from Ultimo.
My concerns are : The new Museum will be built on a flood plain at Parramatta
All the displays from Ultimo will not fit in especially the catilina flying boat
The steam train
All the other displays which the school children visit and if a school was in Asquith it would take too long to get to Parramatta but if it was left at Ultimo its a central area and easier to get to.
I appeal to you to reject this and save Willow Grove a 1800’s Building as we are losing to much Heritage in NSW and my other concerns are damage to the items from the present Museum.
Willow Grove is rich in History and Parramatta has already lost a 200 year old pub which should never have been allowed, in the UK for example they have buildings going back to the 1700’s or earlier they don't tear down their History they keep it.
So iam appealing to you person to person please don't let this go ahead!! nearly every person nearly every radio station have said they don't understand why the Government wants to move the Power House Museum and leave Willow Grove alone , if the Museum has to move, move it it to Castle Hill ?
Thank You
Christopher Russell
PO BOX 297
THORNLEIGH NSW 2120

Hello Planning NSW,

I wish to voice MY OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSED POWERHOUSE PARRAMATTA PROJECT.

Firstly I would state that I have not made any reportable political donations.
And I would request that my name be withheld from being published with regard to this submission...however my initials and suburb would be acceptable.

In particular I am totally opposed to the Powerhouse Museum being relocated from its current site in the Sydney CBD. It is an important public facility which truly enhances the vibrant Darling Harbour precinct of our beautiful city, attracting thousands of local and overseas visitors each year. It provides a cultural and educational hub where people gather for social and informational activity. And I believe its current Sydney location would attract more visitors than a relocated Museum in Parramatta.

I am also totally opposed to valuable and unique heritage buildings in Parramatta...ie, Willow Grove Villa and St Georges Terraces...being wantonly destroyed simply to make space for a huge and utterly unnecessary relocated Powerhouse Museum.

As a child I remember my Grandparents (residents of Westmead) taking us to visit many of the historical buildings around Parramatta during our school holidays. Even then I was taken with the architectural detail and the history of these olden day buildings and I loved hearing the stories of my Grandparents early days and how people lived back then...so hard to imagine without seeing the buildings/conditions first hand.

We should treasure these last remaining icons from our colourful history...not destroy them!!! I would like to take MY grandchildren to visit these sites and to share the wonder of our bygone days. Why are we Australians so eager to destroy our past...why cant be be more like European countries where governments and citizens celebrate their past and value and preserve the buildings, statues, landmarks, etc, which enhance their sense of place and character.

Please re-consider this abominable proposal...celebrate our history and treasure our amazing colonial architecture and character...it is unique in the world and deserves to survive for generations to come.

I object to the proposal and make the following comments:

Demolition of Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace
The proposal requires the demolition of ‘one of a kind’ Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace.
Significantly, the heritage listed Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace are two of four properties purchased by the City of Parramatta (Council) in 2015 for the purposes of amalgamating the sites around Council’s larger carpark site to advance Council’s River Strategy.
Council records indicate the purchases were intended to advance Council’s River Strategy, with the retention of Willow Grove a key part of that strategy, and a new River Square and green Civic Link to Parramatta Square, central to Council’s plans.
The NSW government has repeatedly given its commitment to retain Willow Grove, with the Civic Link plans ratified by the Council Administrator in July 2017, just prior to the Heads of Agreement that was signed between the government and Council.
However evidence now shows the government never intended to retain the site, having conducted feasibility studies in 2016, prior to announcing the riverbank site as its preferred site, which remove Willow Grove. This is contrary to repeated public representations including town hall meetings with community.
Furthermore, Council purchases followed the completion of a Preliminary and Final Business Case for the refurbishment of the existing Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo, having successfully passed through two NSW Government Gateway Reviews in late 2014.
Flood Risk Management
Concerns around the flood risk management have not been sufficiently unaddressed, with key data still outstanding.
Specifically the technical report prepared by Arup for INSW as the proponent does not appear to take account of a draft report by Molino Steward for the purpose of Council’s CBD Gateway application, for ‘exceptional circumstances’ which the then DPE granted on the basis of the provision of additional data. The latest report (version 7) tabled to Council in October last year, notes that data is still outstanding with a final report anticipated in 2020. This report remains outstanding.
Council Representations
Prior to the appointment of an Administrator to Council in May 2016, Council urgently convened a Special Meeting on the 14 January 2016 to consider urgent action pertaining to the Museum’s relocation and the riverbank site. Specifically, Council resolved to write to the relevant Ministers expressing the community’s concern about the Powerhouse’s possible relocation to Parramatta and the riverbank site, and advocate for the museum’s relocation to Parramatta Golf Course, or alternatively the Old King School further upstream which had originally been mooted by INSW in 2014, otherwise consider the Parramatta Jail site, and the reasons therefore.
Moreover Council resolved that the (new) Museum must ‘not disadvantage Council in achieving its vision for the river’ and ‘not disadvantage Council’s strategic asset on the site’.
Furthermore, in the aftermath of Mike Baird’s resignation, media reports indicate a Compulsory Land Acquisition notice was issued to council while under administration, after an impasse between council and the government. It is not known if the Special Meeting on the 14 January 2016 was convened in response to this.
Notably too, in evidence presented by the Administrator to a Parliamentary Inquiry in August 2017, indicated that the Heads of Agreement signed on 28 July 2017, effectively locked Council in.
Later, in December 2017, a confidential Deed between Government and Council was signed, with concerns about the governance process.
Given Council’s now CEO, was Property NSW’s then CEO at the time of the negotiations, with media reports indicating carriage for the negotiations by the government to purchase the Parramatta site, this prompts questions whether there is any potential conflict in terms of Council’s current representations, and whether an independent report is necessary.

Having been born in Parramatta in 1942, i have an extensive knowledge of the Heritage of the Area, Added to by being employed by the Old Public Works Department since 1958, to do Repairs as an apprentice, and then as a Tradesman Electrician, and Followed by Being a Building Estimator who also does Specification Writing, and Tender Documents, Followed by Being a Building Foreman in charge of Works carried out on the Heritage Buildings, without Damaging the Fabric of the Buildings, to keep them as built for posterity, When i heard that you were going to start damaging these Buildings, i contacted the Historical Society, the National Heritage Association, and the Institute for Architects, who have allcondemned your proposals. To my Mind, all of your Proposals to destroy these Heritage Buildings, make you no better than Neo-Nazi Criminals. Fronted, and Backed by Large scale Developers, with you in need of learning what your correct Function is , to maintain the Heritage of Australia, God have mercy on your souls

I have ,besides contacting you, also contacted THe Historic Houses Trust, THe National Trust, And the INstitute of Architects, With my Heritage Knowledge of all of the Buildi ngs You were knocking over that i Personnally have carried out repairs on During my Life with the Public Works Department, since 1958, And my reasons as to why you are nothing but a Group of Neo-Nazi's Doing their Best to get Rid of Australia's History. Having been born in North Parramatta in 1942, and grown up in the area for most of my life, i am aware of the need to maintain the Fabric of these Heritage Buildings, I have been with the Old Public Works as an Apprentice Electrician,and a Tradesman Electrician, finally converting to the Building side as a Building Estimator, which also involved Specification Writing, calling of Tenders, and Supervision of Contract Works, and progressing to a Grade 5 Building Foreman. I still cannot at my present age understand why you should wish to destroy our Australian Heritage.

Letter of Objection to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project in its present form and wish that my objections are noted.
The buildings to be demolished i.e. Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace are part of Parramatta’s and Sydney’s heritage and their demolition is a disgrace and disrespect to our colonial heritage. These buildings have played a part in the social history of Parramatta for well over 100 years.
Assuming the determination of the government to build a new “museum” on the proposed site I urge you to ensure that these two existing buildings be incorporated into the new design. With the amount of general destruction of heritage in Parramatta and surrounding areas I believe it is essential to retain these two buildings.
To date I have made no contribution to any political party and request that you affix my name to the long list of objectors to this proposal.