Powerhouse Parramatta

I haver submitted my submission on the above project but also wish to convey my concerns to you as well.

I am not against the idea of a museum for the area but I do object to the way it is proposed and how it intends to be built. A museum should be appropriate for the uniqueness of Parramatta and historical connections. We have many historical buildings that I am sure could be preserved and given new life as the historical centre of this State.

I object to the destruction of historical buildings in Parramatta: Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace to make way for an inappropriate and ugly modern structure to house the very history that this government is hell bent on destroying. It simply does not make sense.

The historical buildings in Parramatta and surrounds both public and private buildings are unique to the history of Australia and its political beginning should be preserved and celebrated not destroyed. With foresight the care of our history and buildings will bear an abundance in the future as people become more aware of the importance of the history of this area and to the beginnings of this State and politics.

I do believe with care and appropriate attention the history and historical buildings of this area could be a major drawcard for international visitors. The use of our historical building to house a new experience of a museum that embraces our history would be more appropriate for this area and help preserve these unique buildings.

I sincerely hope that the planning committee listens to the people of Parramatta and that commonsense and respect prevail.

TO the abovenamed:

I wish to voice my objection to the Powerhouse Parramatta project being built upon the lands which are Heritage Listed for the following reasons:

a) The destruction of these historic buildings are totally unnecessary; what makes this destruction so wrong is that there are lands in the Parramatta area which have the space to build another Powerhouse Museum eg the previously demolished Parramatta Golf Club or within the grounds of the Parramatta Female Orphan School or (if permissible) Parramatta Park, just to name three.
b) T he meaning of the word “Museum” is:
“A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of artistic, cultural, historical, or scientific importance. Many public museums make these items available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. The largest museums are located in major cities throughout the world, while thousands of local museums exist in smaller cities, towns, and rural areas. Museums have varying aims, ranging from serving researchers and specialists to serving the general public. The goal of serving researchers is increasingly shifting to serving the general public. (Wikipedia)

I therefore submit that by demolishing the “Historic” buildings in Phillip Street Parramatta is pure unadulterated destruction as they all should be kept for all future Generations to visit (as an Historical site) the same as people do in Museums. It is completely ironical and wrong for the NSW Planning Department to be demolishing Historic buildings to place in it’s stead a Museum of Historic importance !!
Willow Grove, at 32 Phillip Street, was built in the 1870s as a private villa, and later became a maternity hospital called 'Estella' Private Hospital, Parramatta 1920 -1953 This Victorian Italianate house was registered as a private hospital when a Mrs E.E. Davidson, a matron and midwife purchased the property in 1919.1 This was the same year the world-wide pandemic of influenza struck Sydney and Parramatta. When Estella Private Hospital opened there were 129 private ‘lying-in’ (or maternity) hospitals recorded in Sydney in 1920. Majority were conducted by trained midwives forming a private maternity hospital system in New South Wales. Estella underwent a name change to Westcourt Private Hospital and it had a telephone number U8503.
1. Office of Environment & Heritage. (n.d.). Willow Grove and potential archaeological site. Retrieved October 4, 2013 from http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=2240440
2. History of 'Willow Grove': 34 Phillip Street, Parramatta. (n.d.). Parramatta, NSW Parramatta Heritage Centre. 'Willow Grove' Vertical File.

c) Willow Grove has been looked after as a private home and then as a Maternity Hospital for over three decades which is of great importance for Australians /women generally.
d) Willow Grove and St.Georges Terraces are absolutely vital to retain for the Community and future Generations because of the character and rare examples of architecture that no longer exist in Parramatta; would any NSW Planning Department agree to demolish any Historic buildings which have been Heritage Listed in the CBD and surrounding areas eg The Rocks, Balmain, Glebe, Leichhardt ?…..I am sure the answer is NO and should not be allowed to happen in Parramatta !!

I PLEAD THAT THE NSW PLANNING DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY TERMINATE THE CURRENT WILLOW GROVE AND ST.GEORGE TERRACE BUILDING PLANS AND RENEGOTIATE ANOTHER AREA IN PARRAMATTA AS I HAVE SUGGESTED.
Thank you for reading my objection and I look forward to a favourable decision.

I object to the Parramatta Project. The Powerhouse Museum and its building are of great historical significance to Sydney and shouldn't be destroyed. Its location is very accessible from all parts of the city. By all means build whatever Parramatta requires. But it doesn't need bits and pieces of the Powerhouse Museum.

I am writing to let you know about my:
·objections to removing any of the Powerhouse Museum's major objects relating to industrial technology from its Ultimo site.
·objections to the demolition of Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces in Parramatta to accommodate a new museum.
·suggestions for a new museum/s instead at Cumberland Hospital Precinct in North Parramatta and
·suggestions for types of museums.
The Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo
I welcome the NSW government's decision to leave The Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo. However, I am concerned that the government has not committed to leaving the museum intact - and has indicated it could become a centre for fashion and design. (See The Sydney Morning Herald, July 5, 2020 HYPERLINK "https://www.smh.com.au/culture/art-and-design/berejiklian-s-powerhouse-backflip-a-crowd-pleaser-for-east-and-west-20200703-p558zg.html" https://www.smh.com.au/culture/art-and-design/berejiklian-s-powerhouse-backflip-a-crowd-pleaser-for-east-and-west-20200703-p558zg.html).


With multiple engineers in my family, I’ve grown up with and always loved the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) – and particularly the Powerhouse Museum. The museum and its storage facilities are an enormously valuable repository of Australia’s old industrial technology. For engineers, the Boulton and Watt steam engine is priceless and its current position at the Powerhouse ideal – enabling it to be run for all to see. It would be a great shame for the NSW government to risk moving it from its specially built home along with Locomotive Number 1. Similarly, for the aircraft suspended in the Heritage Hall.

I believe the permanent collection at The Powerhouse should remain essentially as is because the site complements its collection. The museum is located both within the old tramways power station - an industrial artefact itself – and within an engineering precinct. The original plans for the museum envisaged it on Harris Street, where it would be close to the then Sydney Technical College, one of the city’s oldest training grounds for engineers, as a source of inspiration for students. That connection remains and it is now also near the University of Technology, a modern centre for engineering education.

Museums for Parramatta

However, it is time that Parramatta, as Sydney's demographic centre, should have at least one if not more major museums. And I believe it has the perfect place for such a heritage and cultural complex at the Cumberland Hospital Precinct in North Parramatta. This beautiful area, adjacent to the Female Factory and former Catholic Orphanage, is already a heritage site, with a rich history. The location for close to 80 buildings with state heritage listing, the site could provide space for a range of museum and other educational institutions - along with opening up the beautiful grounds for the public to enjoy. It would lend itself to a long-term plan for developing a range of institutions and facilities in the historic buildings within the precinct.


Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace

By contrast, it would be a tragic irony if, instead, the government went ahead with plans to demolish Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace, historic buildings in the centre of Parramatta, to make way for the new museum. Such a move would destroy these precious buildings, loved by residents of Parramatta and elsewhere, in the centre of the city. The state government's own documentation says the site is significant:



"for the local area for historical, aesthetic, research, associative and representativeness values ... It is a local landmark, strongly contributing to the streetscape. It is a place of memories for a number of older residents of the area, from years when it operated as a maternity hospital. The site grounds may contain archaeological material relating to European settlement prior to the construction of ‘Willow Grove’. Albeit not rare, Willow Grove is representative of its type, style and date of construction."



(See https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=2240440 )



It would also be negligent to establish a museum on a site that experts say should be avoided because of the risk to artefacts of flooding - as occurred there in February this year. Hydrologist Dr John Macintosh wrote one of 17 submissions to the NSW Upper House inquiry into the proposed museum move that raised concerns about flooding - including the risk of deaths at the Willow Grove/St Georges Terrace site.



(See HYPERLINK "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-12/powerhouse-museum-location-crazy-deadly-flood-risk-expert-says/9644362" https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-12/powerhouse-museum-location-crazy-deadly-flood-risk-expert-says/9644362 )


Type of Museum - art gallery, historical, or modern science and technology?

Regarding the type of museum to be set up at Parramatta, there are a number of suggestions - and the Cumberland Hospital Precinct could accommodate more than one. I'd support Parramatta residents' calls for an art gallery or history museum at the site.



However, if the government wants to pursue the idea of another branch of the MAAS, it would be great to see a museum that focuses on modern science and technology established - as opposed to the Powerhouse's old industrial technology. Australia leads the world in some of these areas – for example photovoltaic and other renewable engineering at UNSW; information technology with companies such as Atlassian; and biotechnology and medical engineering such as hearing implants (Cochlear) and ventilators for COVID-19 patients (produced at the Bella Vista factory of Australian company Resmed and sent all around the world in recent months).


Such a museum would be unique, exciting and important – and complement the existing MAAS without damaging the reputation of The Powerhouse. It could showcase the work of Australian technologists, show young people what modern (or "living") science and engineering are all about and encourage students to study STEM subjects - one of the federal government’s current objectives. It could also be set up at another site in Western Sydney that is close to a university campus - teaching science and technological degrees - to create a relationship between the museum and university promoting collaboration on research.


Hoping you will take these ideas into consideration during planning for the new museum at Parramatta.

I OBJECT TO THE POWERHOUSE PARRAMATTA BECAUSE


I was born in that building in 1944 when it was known as “Aloha” so have a personal interest in its survival. I also reside in an 1895 heritage building and am aware of the amount of care/maintenance/repair work involved, not to mention the costs expended, to maintain such a building in good condition. To waste all that past work is unforgivable.


This current government is not at all interested in anything heritage – it is only concerned with making money regardless of the interests and concerns of the communities involved. I have become exceedingly disappointed and disgusted with decisions made by the N.S.W. Government in recent months.


To consider moving all the contents of the current Powerhouse Museum to Parramatta is impossible – there is no reason Parramatta cannot have a new Museum somewhere else using items, some of which are in storage at Castle Hill Museum. As mentioned before, this is all about money grabbing.


There will be many unhappy voters when the next elections are on. People need to be happy living in their chosen environment, not driven out by the greed and decisions of Government in cahoots with developers and Councils.


In complete disgust and exasperation, please record my strong objection to this heritage building.



Dear Sirs, Madam,

I am delighted to hear/read that the planned closure of Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo has been dumped.

My fear is that there will be no change to the plans of constructing the ugly building, now maybe re-named a cultural centre (which is all it was going to be in the first place).

Following my previous correspondence, please reconsider the plans of this proposed new building. The Heritage house “Willow Grove” and grounds could be a part of a new centre, also the Georges Terraces become specialty shops/businesses - which would add authenticity to the original history of Parramatta. A new cultural centre should be located in a larger, open space – maybe the old hospital cite as suggested by Elizabeth Farrelly.

Please don’t allow “Willow Grove” to be vandalised.

I wish to inform you that I object to the proposed Powerhouse Parramatta location as this site will see demolition of two historic buildings being Willow Grove - St George Terraces.

This location is also on a flood zone area and will be very problematic to any proposed museum because of the risks of the heritage items involved.

However there is a better location nearby called The Historic Female Factory Convict site which will be a better option for it's size compared to the proposed location as mentioned above and as it's more cost effective.

Dear Minister,
The Powerhouse building is an important physical remnant of Sydney's history that deserves to be conserved and remain as a museum, open to the public. By all means, build a modern extension dedicated to the preservation of our cultural heritage at Parramatta but please do not sell off the current museum site for commercial development.

I'm at odds to see how this project makes economic, community or heritage sense, either for Sydney or Parramatta. I grew up with Parramatta as my major urban centre and also lived in Pyrmont/Ultimo for some time so I'm familiar with both locations. Living in Wollongong now, I still take public transport with my kids to check out the wonderful Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo. Moving the whole set-up to Parramatta equally reduces access for many.

It would be a sad reflection on the Government's commitment to the heritage of NSW to demolish the Willowgrove building and other cultural elements. Let alone the irony of destroying quality heritage to make way for lack lustre modernity and to then call it a museum. Surely there must be some degree of competency within the NSW Government Architects or NSW heritage agency to integrate Willowgrove and other buildings into a heritage precinct to cater for a second Powershouse Museum and rotate historic material and exhibitions between the two. This can be funded by deferring other projects like the stadium rebuilds - stadiums are a luxury and can be deferred for another time, replaced largely within the same footprint and without impacting significant heritage values. As a relevant Minister in this decision, please take steps to leave a positive legacy for Sydney, Parramatta, NSW and Australia.

To be clear, I strongly object to the destruction of the Powerhouse Museum and relocation to Parramatta that entails destruction of this nation's heritage.

Dear Minister,

I am contacting you as the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces to voice my profound opposition to the closure of the Powerhouse Museum.
The proposed development at Parramatta is hardly a substitute for the relevant, well sited historic building and collection at Ultimo.
The fact that even more historically important Heritage buildings will be destroyed at Parramatta make the entire proposal nothing short of preposterous.
The only beneficiaries of this move will be Developers who are poised to profit from retail and apartment development at Ultimo.
I would like a response and explanation.

Dear Sir,

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project and the demolition of Willow Grove and St. Georges Terrace, Parramatta.

These buildings are unique in the history of Parramatta and therefore irreplaceable. They represent important social history and the sense of place and character of Parramatta and are important to the history of Parramatta. They have not been adequately studied yet. A report should be made by Environmental and Histrorical Experts. 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 the community's 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.

Dear Mr Stokes,
The demolition and sale of the Powerhouse Museum for Property Development is the most demoralising thing for the voters of NSW that your government has ever done.
To move this collection and spread it to Regional Centres that do not have the infrastructure to look after it or store it is a traversty. You know this.
The money the sale of this site will bring and the on going rates, is not worth the damage to the reputation of the NSW Liberal Party. This is a step too far.
Please answer the call and speak to your premier. This is not about football stadiums, this is about our reputation world wide as an Arts destination.
We have the Opera House which we always use as a draw card, we will now be seen as philistines.
Stop this madness. Forego the dollars and step back from the brink will you can.
The people of NSW will see it as a sensible and courageous decision, not as losing face.
Once Gladys goes down this path, you and she will lose her voting base.
I know that as I speak to my liberal friends in the Eastern Suburbs.

Please stop this.

We are protesting the demolition of WILLOW GROVE and St GEORGE'S TERRACE buildings.
You may not have grown up around Parramatta Marcus but we have watched in HORROR as our beautiful heritage buildings and lands have dissapeared in the name of "progress". Did the PEOPLE of Parramatta ever have a say in what was to done to our township by the NSW Parliament NO. Next you will be bulldozing Government House in Parramatta Park and the park itself. There is plenty of land in the north west area which would probably love having the Power House museum as you already have a partial storage area already there. I can only remember taking my children to the Powerhouse a couple of times in my life. How is it going to be more popular in Parramatta at only half of the display and area to be shown.
You are digging forcing on us the White Elephant known as the LIGHT RAIL. Which goes nowhere. You cut off the people in Carlingford and force them onto already crowded roads. WHY.

We are protesting about the demolition of WILLOW GROVE HOUSE and St GEORGES TERRACE in Parramatta.

We have grown up with these beautiful old buildings in our life (70 yrs +) and our parents before us.

What right does the Parliament of NSW have to decide and not ASK the people of Parramatta if we want the POWERHOUSE MUSEUM on our river.

Have you even asked the Aborigine people.

Our beautiful buildings are being demolished without our consent. Shouldn't we get a say in what stays and what goes.

The LIGHT RAIL is going through the our Heritage district and town and stopping in the middle of nowhere. Cutting off the people from Carlingford and forcing them onto overcrowded roads. WHY.

You have storage for the museums overload stock in Castle Hill, take the rest of it up to there That's where the public will come from to visit the place.

PLEASE LET US KEEP OUR HERITAGE BUILDINGS Keep the Powerhouse in Sydney. We don't want it here

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project as planned due to the destruction of the historical Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces.

Greater Sydney has lost too much of its history through demolition of historical places to make way for the future. While i agree society and times change, and we need to adapt, that should not mean bulldozing our history. Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace both are examples of Victorian period architecture and a link to the history of Parramatta. Too many historic buildings have gone, and we often look back and wished we had not. If it were not fro the green bans in the 1970's, what would have happened to the 'The Rocks' of today? Don't make a decision today that future generations will look back on and think 'why did they do that' ?

A museum can be defined as "a building in which objects of historical, scientific, artistic, or cultural interest are stored and exhibited." MAAS states on its website It is "home to the material heritage and stories of Australian culture, history and lifestyle, providing a comprehensive insight into this rich and diverse country." yet here we are about to destroy heritage, to build a space that teaches about heritage - have I missed something here?

I agree with the plan to move the museum out to the Parramatta area, provide it new facilities to build on its history and continue its education (like the discovery centre in Castle Hill) - but dont go an knock down some of Parramatta's history to do that - incorporate it into the facility. Atlassian today announced it plans to build a tower near Central Station in Sydney, and incorporate the old Parcel office into the design - if a private company can do this, why cant a government department ??

And the new design for the Parramatta Powerhouse looks ugly. The birds, dust, spiderwebs are going to love it if it goes ahead.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project as planned due to the destruction of the historical Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces and what appears to be little effort during the planning process to save these items. History should be preserved.

Thank you for your consideration.


I strongly object to the destruction of Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace at Parramatta to make room for the new Powerhouse museum.

Why are we destroying history, to make way for a space to showcase history - it defies logic to me?

We need to embrace our heritage, not destroy it.

I support the idea of moving the powerhouse (or opening a 2nd location) out west around Parramatta (having been to Castle Hill discovery centre many times) - its time that the suburbs got a venue to display and embrace the museum's collection - but not at the expense of some of the areas heritage and history.

There is plenty of land just down the street at Camelia that needs to be rehabilitated - perfect chance to utilise the Powerhouse as a transformation project for that area - and be connected to the Parramatta Light rail - enhance the river through that area.

I object to the destruction of the history and urge the government to reconsider.

My thoughts exactly. Please read.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/new-powerhouse-not-a-museum-but-global-embarrassment-20200625-p5566q.html

Good Day,

Re the Powerhouse Museum

I am so upset at losing a loved museum and so shocked someone like Gladys would show such disrespect for our history and the workers who toiled long and hard on producing the technical achievements of their day as displayed in the museum. Trains, planes machinery all of which contributed to the great industrial revolution. What about all the donations of cherished family items given in good faith to the Powerhouse at Ultimo? I am shocked and very disappointed in Gladys

The museum also includes examples of beautiful & technical achievements by women in arts & sciences, which are not always celebrated.

I am also very disappointed with the disrespect she shows for the volunteers who work for the love of the place.

Is the Premier aware the former name of the museum was The Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences? Could there be a better facility to be part of the new technical precinct from Central to Redfern, particularly with Atlassian plans to build the world's tallest hybrid timber tower breaking new ground. The building of which would naturally be featured in the museum.

The Goods Line, which is a wonderful new edition takes you straight to both the museum from Central & the University of Technology all being part of the new exciting technical precinct, what better location for a museum of technology to exist? It should & would be the jewel in the crown.

Off course Parramatta is more than worthy to have a new museum, it is very much part of the birth of modern Australia and has some of the most wonderful examples of our historical sites. A new Powerhouse outpost would be a wonderful edition to exhibit some more of the wonderful holdings that rarely see the light of day.

As well as this it would be wonderful if the storage facility at Castle Hill could be also be another Powerhouse outpost which would be an admirable addition to the Hills District.

Other cities have the same museum in several locations and it works very well, why can’t we? Why does it have to be one or the other?

I believe with the cost involved which has been widely reported by various inquiries showing this will not offer value for money & also given the incredible time we are experiencing; the move should be stopped. The money should not be spent duplicating something that already exists and does the job so beautifully – why not create something new whilst still leaving the original in place?

I have been going to the museum from my childhood and have such happy memories of visits with my parents who have long gone.

Do you realise there is very little of the built environment left of the places my parents and my siblings visited together. Theatres, pools, sport stadiums & the old showgrounds etc. have all gone.

Where can I still visit as I did then & walk not only in their footsteps, but in the footsteps of my grandparents. This causes me great pain and I am not alone.

I am sick of being one of the quiet Australians the Prime Minster speaks of while all our governments continue to bully us and denigrate the things we love and value as an Australian and NSW resident.

Haven’t we just had enough loses with the bushfires this year?

I know as I live in a safe labor seat which if it did change would probably go to the greens, my wishes won’t be a priority to you, however I can confirm I think this is one of the worst decisions any government has made in my lifetime and I do not respect or hold you in high regard for this one.

Gladys please re consider this decision.

I find the issue of dismantling the Powerhouse Museum an act of cultural vandalism. Your government champions it as a 'relocation' to gloss over the destruction of a world class and internationally recognised museum.

It's disappointing that you can't be honest about the financial motivation to turn over the real estate to LNP friendly developers. Decades of dedication and hard work has contributed to the building of a Sydney icon which you now want to rip apart and tear up the fabric which has entertained and educated generations of both local and overseas visitors.

The relevance of Australian and particularly NSW history is paramount at this establishment but your government seems hellbent on trampling over what meant so much to so many in your unquenchable thirst for asset sales. The state government's reputation for delivering on time and on budget is non existent but your exuberance for selling anything of value is insatiable.

Constructing a non expandable building on a flood plain to house only a portion of what the museum has built up over the years defies logic and slaps the faces of those who have developed this wonderful institution over many many years. The building is totally unsuitable for purpose and looks more like an event centre than a museum. A lack of disclosure of a business model would indicate their is none or it is unfavourable to the government.

I have heard endless expressions of opposition to the project but very little support. The concept of 'relocation' can also apply to support at the ballot box.

I object to the design and location of the Parramatta Powerhouse as currently proposed by the NSW Government. While I strongly support more arts and cultural investment in Western Sydney - and believe Parramatta deserves a world-class museum - this should not come at the expense of its cherished heritage. It is ultimately unacceptable to me that any museum should destroy Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace.

Given the Government has recently abandoned its plan, promised since 2014, to move the museum from Ultimo to Parramatta, I believe it should abandon the current EIS process. Community consultation should begin anew and other, better options for a museum put forward.

I make this short submission as a resident of Charles Street, Parramatta since mid-2016. I also have deep roots in north-west Sydney, having grown up in Carlingford and West Pennant Hills. Even back in the 1980s and 1990s, my family always looked to Parramatta for its incredible shopping, great parks and one of Sydney’s best libraries.

I am very proud of how Parramatta has grown since that time. As I’ve gotten older I’ve also gained so much more appreciation of Parramatta’s rich Aboriginal history and its special status as Australia’s first inland European settlement; as a centre of farming, an early seat of government and place of female emancipation. New waves of migrants have settled in and around Parramatta, making it one of Sydney’s multicultural areas. Yet people can still marvel at buildings like the Female Factory, Old Government House and other fascinating examples of early architecture - and be transported back in time.

I would be a five minute walk from the proposed museum. There is already heavy construction where I live, including multiple residential towers (of various aesthetic merit), a new high rise school, a light rail line and proposed Metro line. It’s a dynamic neighbourhood filled with activity 24 hours a day - and I acknowledge the great efforts of all the tradies and construction workers who are building the future of Parramatta with machinery and bare hands.

Yet building Parramatta’s future doesn’t mean we should obliterate its past. The world’s great cities don’t walk away from their history. They balance old and new. I think here of London, Paris and the other grand old capitals of Europe, the temples and shrines of Japanese cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, or even areas like The Rocks in Sydney. It’s possible to support an ambitious, forward-looking vision for Parramatta while holding onto the character and memories that make it special. Willow Grove, formerly a maternity hospital, is an oasis of tranquility in a city changing fast. It has great potential to be opened up to the community further - its front garden perhaps used as a pocket park for yoga or tai chi classes or office workers on their lunch break. The St George’s Terrace are indicative of Victorian era terraces - and a stark contrast from the apartments being thrown up in Parramatta today.

For me, and I suspect many in the community, this is in fact the point. There are so many new buildings going up in Parramatta today - and that’s great, we’re a CBD - but we need to hold onto the old buildings as well.

Museums thrive best when they enjoy popular legitimacy and support from the community they are meant to serve. Unfortunately, the Government lacks a mandate for its current proposal. The original concept of relocating the Ultimo museum (and presumably much of its contents - such as the infamous locomotive) has collapsed. In addition, the Government promised to consider designs for the Parramatta Powerhouse that incorporated Willow Grove. In February 2019, Premier Gladys Berejiklian acknowledged: “We’ve always said of course our intention is to save it”. This was a promise made to the people of Parramatta a month before the state election. It is a promise broken. After the loss of the War Memorial Pool, the Royal Oak Hotel and the forced closure of the Parramatta Speedway, I don’t believe the Government’s wrecking ball should be allowed to swing through Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace as well.

There are better locations for an iconic Parramatta Museum - even a Parramatta Powerhouse - that do not destroy heritage but in fact compliment it. I urge the Government to consider the heritage areas of North Parramatta, particularly the Cumberland Hospital campus, which will eventually be accessible by light rail. There is exciting potential to maximise this precinct with visitors, students and other creative and start-up activity.

The Government should recognise that it has made no progress since 2014 and frittered away whatever community goodwill it enjoyed towards this project. Start consulting and respecting the Parramatta community and present us with a concept for a museum that builds on the city’s heritage and sense of place. A museum that celebrates history - rather than destroys it.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because our historical buildings are an important link to the past they are part of White Australia's heritage