Powerhouse Parramatta

I am writing to you in order to lodge my total objection to the intended demolition or relocation of Willow Grove.
This beautiful building has stood for over 140 years, and it deserves the heritage respect that many thousands of people expect of such a significant building. It saddens me greatly that Willow Grove is in peril .. seems we do not learn from our past mistakes re losing our European heritage.
Please, save Willow Grove, and keep it where it rightfully belongs.

I object ....

HI
I object 1000% to the destruction of history at Parramatta.
Willow Grove is part of the history of Parramatta. The removal to a new location is not an way out. It would be like moving the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Melbourne just to make way for a new boat terminal.


Would you allow NSW Parliament House to be pulled down and moved to Campbeltown just to allow a new residential building to go up?
I think not
This is the same for Willow Grove and surrounding buildings.

Willow Grove must stay where it is. It is our history

I would like to add my voice to the objections of relocating the Willow Grace estate.

This building has great significance of our pioneering days, and it is sad there is so little of it left in Parramatta and Greater Sydney. Please leave it as a reminder of who we were as the people of Parramatta and where we have evolved from. You may not realise it but people walk past this building every day on their way to work and it reminds them of past Australia and history of where their modern office building now stands.

We have so little left to provide this nostalgia, this building means a lot to the people living here and passing it each day. Building instead on this ground a museum of recreated history will never have the same impact or significance as the original - an original pioneer building standing as it has done for generations.

Please know that once this building is pulled apart into tiny pieces rebuilt it in a different location is will become merely a replica and won’t have the same heart it used to. It was built generations ago in this spot by the original Parramatta residents. The people of Parramatta want it left as it is.

I recently lived in Melbourne and was amazed at the integration of their historical buildings with the modern. They have retained so much of their history making it much more charismatic and on par with global cities. Other Australia capital cities do the same and value their heritage - Parramatta is well behind the ball on this. Please don’t tear down what little we have left.

I am mortified that the NSW Government seems intent on destroying Willow GroveI, a part of the remaining beauty and history of early Parramatta. I strongly object to such action, and encourage the Planning Department to reconsider. I have visited Parramatta for shopping and medical appointments for over 50 years, and feel saddened by this proposal.

I wish to put forward my objection to the Powerhouse Parramatta being built and in particular the demolition of the historic Willow Grove House and gardens in Phillip St Parramatta.

To think that removing it and placing it somewhere else will suffice is ludicrous. Insane, that’s what the NSW State Government are, just the cost, the damage and loss of location by removal of a part of our historic Parramatta architecture. Would this be done to the Old Government House and buildings in Parramatta Park… I think not. So why move Willow Grove!

I say there’s more to this stupid idea of having a Powerhouse museum in Parramatta… do we need to rebuild that too here in Parramatta… I think not.

Please listen to the public, who employ you and your staff, (i.e. pay your wages through taxes), to stop Willow Grove being demolished and moved. No, NO NO, it must not be done.

I strongly object to the destruction of the colonial history of Parramatta, home to generations of my family, myself included. As the second great granddaughter of a convict, who helped build Parramatta, whilst no longer a NSW resident, it is nonetheless repugnant to me that you continue with the relentless pursuit of destruction in the name of progress. Parramatta is unrecognisable, a soulless, highrise wasteland. You have already destroyed the essence of Parramatta and show complete disregard and indeed contempt for our Colonial heritage and the people, past and present, of Parramatta. And yet you proceed unchecked.
You should be ashamed.

I object to Willow Grove on Phillip Street, Parramatta being negatively interfered with in anyway. The NSW Govt and residents must protect our history.

To undergo anything destructive with regards to the historical and beautiful property is abhorrent. How can the NSW in good conscience be ok with historical property destruction to place a museum on site? The property itself is a museum. Please save it, where it is currently located for future generations.

I object ....To the demolition and the removal of the historic Willow Grove.

I object to the relocation of Willow Grove for the following reasons:
1. Moving it will destroy some integral parts of its historic features. They are irreplaceable, such as cornices, Windows, plaster.
2. It’s location is part of its history and heritage significance.
3. It is tokenistic, ignorant and distasteful to think you can shift all historic buildings to one location. It’s not “Old Sydney Town” or Dreamworld.
4. The cost is ridiculous. It is disproportionate to the simple possibility of keeping it where it is and incorporating it into the design of whatever is built around it and even above it.
5. The additional revenue it will draw from its uniqueness will far outstrip revenue from some soulless, grey and white modern structure that will be out of fashion in a decade. Willow Grove will never be out of fashion.
6. The community doesn’t want it moved. Thus it is not in the public interest.
Kind regards
Rowena Horn
Morpeth NSW (former Parramatta resident)

I object to the removal of Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces in Parramatta.

I have resided in Parramatta for 30 years , am a local artist with a business in the arts in Parramatta and cant understand how this government can destroy our heritage and turn Parramatta into a glass and concrete city , that looses all its history and integrity for the sake of greedy developers.
It does not serve Parramatta well. Please listen to the local people.
We've already lost our Pool and the pub!!

enough is enough
with thanks

I would like to record my strong objection to the proposal to relocate Willow Grove to make way for the Power House Museum.

My reasons are as follows:-
 The location and setting of the building adjacent to the river is integral to the heritage value of Willow Grove
 There is no way the building will not be considerably damaged and altered as part of the move
 Any other unknown site will not have the social history and relationship with the partially reconstructed building
 Virtually destroying the integrity of the building to make way for a museum is absurd in the extreme
 The present location is visually beautiful and a real oasis in the busy Parramatta CBD

I don’t object to a museum being created I Parramatta as long as it is in the right location and the right type of museum. Certainly destroying Parramatta’s heritage is not the answer.

.To demolish Willow Grove would be both an assault and insult to the History of Parramatta.
An Historical Building such as Willow Grove should be treasured and maintained for the now

and future. History is not dispensible it is solid fact and gives meaning to where we have arrived

today. This Building is significant and it would no less than a criminal act to dismiss it as unimportant

and should be preserved in its natural environment and place in History.

Parramatta is rich in History and Willow Grove stands Tall as a part of its History

and long may it stand.

To whomever it may concern,

I am emailing you today to state my objection to the destruction of “Willow Grove” a property with 140 years of Australian history in Phillip St, Parramatta.

Now I understand that you will have been plagued with hundreds of emails regarding this subject however I beg you to read just one. This one.

In comparison to other countries such as England, Ireland, Scotland, America, China, Russia and pretty much all of Europe, Australia is a relatively young country. We don’t have the expansive history that they have nor do we have many old properties or landmarks.

Let me give you examples of others around the world:
Chatsworth, England
Wentworth Woodhouse, England
Lynne wood Hall, America
Villa Majorelle, France
Ostankino Palace, Russia
Temple of Heaven, China
Dalmeny House, Scotland
Curraghmore House, Ireland

These properties are open to the public and generate a large income each year through tourism as well as through the locals who like us, understand the importance of these properties and the history that they hold.

I am begging you not to tear down “Willow Grove” and instead I have an alternate proposal. Why not keep “Willow Grove” where it is and instead of spending billions tearing down a house with such historical significance and building another powerhouse museum that, let’s face it, we really don’t need... you make “Willow Grove” (the house and it’s grounds) a sister museum a lot like they have done in Melbourne with Ripponlea Estate.

Short spanning exhibitions in an old estate and grounds would draw more of a crowd and generate a larger income. Take the Miss Fisher exhibitions that have been held at Ripponlea. They have captured an international audience and brought people from all around the world as well as locally. You could also hire out the site to the Australian film industry much like Highclere Castle in England does. This would make enough money to fund the upkeep of the property so the government would have to put their hand in their pocket or anyone else’s.

I won’t take anymore of your time, I hope you will read this and consider the opportunities that “Willow Grove” has to offer before you make a decision that costs Australia another piece of its heritage.


Regards,
Olivia Williams

I object to the proposed removal of the historic building Willowgrove from its current location. We have little enough historic precincts in Australia as it is. Moving to another location would create a McWillowgrove disconnected from context.

Please do not support this travesty.

I object to the ongoing destruction of the Parramatta historical precinct. Willowgrove should remain where it is.

I object from Willow Grove history being removed from Phillip Street and replaced with a replica beside Parramatta gaol. I live in a 100 yo building and measure the impact and significance of old buildings in NSW.

Thank you for your consideration

I OBJECT to the removal of Willow Grove at Phillip Street, Parramatta

Dear Mr Jennejohn

Thank you for this opportunity to register my strongest objection to the removal of Willow Grove, Phillip St Parramatta.

The decision to destroy by removing it from its position is a catastrophic choice by this Government.

Willow Grove is an original building, that has survived in this location for over 140 years. It’s history is well documented and so, I ask that this Consultation as part of the decision-making process, acknowledges but more importantly, VALUES the socio-cultural significance of this structure.

There are countless numbers of Australian citizens who have sent submissions, presented expert assessment and arguments, protested and petitioned this NSW LNP, to retain Willow Grove. The will of the local and wider communities is clear - do not destroy or rebuild Willow Grove in another location.

Respectfully
Kiri Valsamis

I object to the removal of Will Grove on Phillip Street Parramatta. It is a social history, please keep it where it is.

We object to the demolition of the Willow Grove house, as yet another item of Parramatta’s heritage buildings, being lost to future generations.