Powerhouse Parramatta

I object to this mindless vandalism. Please ensure that our heritage is protected.

I write as a concerned member of the community and resident of Sydney to express my dismay at the planned relocation of Willow Grove.

The house is a significant part of the history of Parramatta and has an important relationship to the river and community and Indigenous history in that site.

Plans to dismantle and reconstruct the building are not a respectful understanding of this history or local heritage. In fact they actively destroy and problematic these links especially for Indigenous community.

The rebuilding in a different site changes the historical context of the building and transforms it into an installation rather then an active reminder of history and place. It's location severs local context and risks destroying aspects of the fabric of the building which will have to be recreated at great expense.

This is in itself is a significant objection but I would also argue that the relocation of the building is a spectacular waste of community money when money is tight and we should prioritise community and community history and preserve it for future generations rather then waste resources. This is even more important if we take an environmental perspective when we shouldat all costs prioritise reuse, and preservation of significant sites as part of a strategy to help address ther climate crisis.

I strongly urge you to refuse any decision to destroy/relocate Willow Grove and advocateinstead for heritage as a vital part of the river landscape, histor, community experience and context.

Regards,
Dr Chiara O’Reilly

To whom it may concern,
I object to demolishing Willow Grove. As a resident of Parramatta I think it is terrible that the government would consider pulling down part of our heritage for a museum – seems rather ironic wouldn’t you say. A greater effort is required to protect rather than destroy and show respect to what came before us.
Please reconsider

As a member of the Parramatta community, I object to the destruction of Willowgrove and its connection to our heritage. Other sites I am sure could have been considered. I have watched in abject horror of the devastation of our architectural past. The Parramatta council since the 1970s has been quick to sell off or demolish our past. Why should we let another beautiful building go under the hammer?

Don't get me wrong. I do want the museum just not on top of the grave of Willowgrove.

I object .... on the grounds of the significant history of this building. It would appear if you’re in the way tear it down and rebuild ?? Australia is destined to have no history at the rate buildings are being removed. Why not make something of this building?

Get the TV series ‘The Block’ involved make into something that others would want to purchase, units, townhouses, nursing home, women’s refuge. Anything but tear it down.

I object to the removal of Willow Grove from Phillip Street, Parramatta as it is a precious heritage building which should remain in situ in order for future generations to appreciate a beautiful and rare example of Australian social history. To consider moving it shows a Philistine character and is, indeed, an unbelievable sacrilege. Please retain Willow Grove in it's present position.

I object ....

I object to the State governments plan to remove Willow Grove from its existing location. Demolition or Removal and reconstruction is not the way to preserve a unique building.
Once again the State government is treating people from Western Sydney as 2nd class citizens.

I object to the removal of Willow Grove and its replacement at a different site. the State Government too often ignores the wishes of the people (eg Windsor Bridge) instead pushing ahead with its misguided view that it knows what is best for the electorate. This is arrogance in the extreme. I therefore ask that the government reconsider this proposal, and acquiesce to the wishes of the people.

I object ....
To the Willow Groves development. Leave our historic buildings alone

I object to the demolition of this beautiful heritage building to make way for ugly multi storey buildings.

Your government needs to learn how to preserve and conserve heritage in NSW, both European and Indigenous.

The character of Parramatta is being change for the worse forever by demolishing history and replacing it with characterless rubbish.

Please stop. This is a great opportunity to show that your government cares about our history and heritage.

I strongly object to the plan to dismantle the historic house Willow Grove and remove it from its current site and rebuild it in North Parramatta. This would result in the destruction of yet another part of our heritage. Also, spending 10 million dollars on the relocation is absurd, as it may result in damage to the building and loss of original features as well as the loss of the building’s significance in relation to its location. If the building is judged to be significant enough to spend so much to preserve it, how can the risk of moving it from its site be justified?

I beg you to reconsider this act of vandalism.

I object to the demolition of Willow Grove. You don't save history by knocking it down.

I want to object to the relocation/demolition of Willow Grove, Phillip St Parramatta.


The only unanimous vote by the elected Councillors of the City of Parramatta supports the retention of Willow Grove in its present location. This motion is still current.


Any motions that do not support the retention of Willow Grove in its present position are the result of a split chamber, 7 for and 7 against, and were passed on the casting vote of the Lord Mayor.

The casting vote of the Lord Mayor has effectively removed the opportunity for Council to collaborate with the Design Integrity Panel in any design process undertaken, to integrate the St George’s Terrace within the MAAS building -with a bit more political will, it is possible that any further design process could, and should, incorporate a retained Willow Grove.
I believe the Councillors who voted for the relocation/demolition of Willow Grove are making a public statement about their lack of commitment not only to the preservation of the beautiful and fragile Willow Grove, but also to the histories and stories of Parramatta that live within walls – and there are many.

At no time has the State Government considered any previous vision that previous Councils have had for the City of Parramatta.

The retention of Willow Grove influences the successful completion of one such project The Parramatta River Strategy. This Strategy incorporated Civic Link, the retention of Willow Grove and the construction of a museum on the river foreshore
The Parramatta River Strategy had as its core the 20 metre wide Civic Link, a green spine designed to extend Horwood Place from Parramatta Square, crossing Macquarie, George and Phillip Streets, includes Willow Grove and terminates at the Parramatta River foreshore.
The current MAAS design demolishes Willow Grove, terminates the 20 metre wide Civic Link at Phillip St, and provides a reduced version in the form of a 11.5 metre laneway that finishes abruptly, 13 metres from Phillip Street, at a set stairs.

At state and local government level those who support the relocation/demolition of Willow Grove appear to be wilfully ignorant of the people who value the Heritage and History of Parramatta.
Those who value this Heritage and History have shown their support through the media, responses to the EIS, participation and joining together in public protest - they have made it clear they want their elected representatives to protect the history and heritage of our city.



Best Wishes,

Dr Patricia Prociv
Councillor | Rosehill Ward | City of Parramatta

I object wholeheartedly to the destruction of Willow Grove villa; building a ‘replica’ is wasteful and pointless.
Please don’t let this happen - our histories are too important to trash.
Leave our culture where it is. Enough damage has been done, please please leave it alone. Please!
And I object with all my being to the proposed changes to the Powerhouse Museum - one of the few world class culture attractions on our city and you want to trash that too! No, please God, no more!

I object to remove Willow Grove from Phillip Street, Parramatta.

Every time I passed this building I had truly admired it.

I don’t understand WHY AND HOW it is possible to remove ALL historical buildings in Parramatta in such short period of time.

There should be a difference between an intangible value of the place and the so called “evaluation”, which is just a dry figure of the square metres. Unfortunately people, who make decisions DO NOT take into account an intangible value of the place and impact it could have on this and future generations.

Please reconsider the decision to remove this beautiful building.

Let all generations admire this place as it is now.

Thank you for reading my email.

Alla Krjatian.
Resident of Parramatta for 20 years.

I object ....I was born in Parramatta hospital in 1969, as a child/teenager & young working woman I have always loved that this historical site was in my life, on a very regular basis; from Mum & Dad taking the family to Parramatta, to working in the area & seeing it on a daily basis.
Please, don't let this be torn down & diminish the history of Parramatta.

I object ....to the removal of Willowgrove. Our history is precious and cannot be replaced. I object to the destruction of our history so that developers can prosper. They are scarring Sydney and destroying our identity. Our history holds educational importance and fosters tourism. My Australian history goes back to 1791 - I am proud to be an Australian.

Please do the right thing and save this precious piece of history!

I object .... to the demolition and/or relocation of Willow Grove & St Georges Terraces. Please leave it where it is and incorporate the design with these buildings. Thats just common sense and what the people of Parramatta want.