Powerhouse Parramatta

I object to the demolition of “Willow Grove” in Philip Street, Parramatta.
As a resident of Parramatta since I moved to NSW 15 years ago, one of the major reasons for choosing Parramatta as my home was it’s rich history.
As the years pass, there is less and less of this history left to show my children.
There is no other building in Parramatta like Willow Grove and to demolish it, a heritage building, to make a thoroughfare for a “museum” is laughably ridiculous.

I object ....the the demolition of willow grove.
The people have been very vocal about this .
Please do not allow this piece of our history to be demolished .

I object to the removal of Willowgrove from its location in Phillip St, Parramatta.
*It is important to preserve our heritage, particularly in Parramatta, where so much has been destroyed already. Why not incorporate Willowgrove and George St Terrace in reclaimed parkland to the river , as part of the museum? The present Ultimo Powerhouse Museum (and many other museums in Australia and worldwide) has made excellent use, recycling an existing building.
*It is also important to leave Willowgrove in its original location, as its context by the river informs its history. Another location removes a layer of its history to say nothing of the potential damage the building would suffer. Its age obviously means it has existing maintenance issues. It defies imagination as to what would need to be done after removing the house brick by brick; replastering, wiring, plumbing, painting, timber work, flooring, tiling...leading to
*The cost of relocation being astronomical and so unnecessary when the house has been happily in its present location since the 1870s.
* A recent roadtrip through southern and western NSW revealed many well-maintained heritage street scapes and buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries being repurposed for 21st century uses. It was refreshing to learn of the history of these towns and the sense of pride in both their indigenous and colonial history was obvious. The people of Parramatta have proven their pride in their history throughout this campaign and they deserve their considerations be respected.
* The cultural health of our city depends on respecting our indigenous, colonial and recent history in plans for our future. The initiative to provide a new museum for Parramatta is to be lauded, but not at the expense of the substantial fabric of our past.
Preserve Willowgrove insitu and either reconsider the design of the yet-to-be-built museum or relocate IT (not Willowgrove) to one of several other sites already researched in the Parramatta area.

Please allow these views to be considered in your planning.

I object .... to the planned distruction of Willow House.
Heritage and History of our unique architecture must be maintained for future generations...

I object to the removal of Willogrove 140 being removed from Phillip street Parramatta. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take action to stop this special part of our Australian history being lost forever!!

I object ....to the destruction of another gem of our heritage. Our beautiful heritage can never be replaced, but the montrocities that are built today can be. PLEASE save Willow Grove. We are a young country by European settlement and we MUST keep what we have. All other countries keep and protect their heritage which goes back 1000's of years. In doing so they get the tourists which means money. Australia needs to learn this.

I Michael Pace of Oatlands NSW strongly object to the removal or destruction of our heritage, namely Willowgrove in Phillip St. No developer should be given the right to oppose the wishes of the majority of the people of Parramatta....

I object ....

I wish to register my objection to the demolition or removal of the historic Willow Grove from it's Phillip Street site. We have lost too many of our historic buildings and as such so much of our history.
The removal of this building from its original site will destroy its significance within the landscape. Why do we have to destroy anything of history or beauty. Why can't the building be incorporated into the museum site? In London the Geffrye Museum wished to bulldoze a 175yo pub after public protest it was incorporated as part of the museum.
Can something similar not happen here?

I object ....to the movement of willow Grove being moved from its original location. This is a precious part of early history in the historic Parramatta area. So many other historic buildings have been demolished and it must stop.

Notes
I would like to support the saving of Willow Grove in its original place. The idea of moving this historic building is ridiculous. The Council has already let so many Historic buildings in Parramatta be demolished and this is such a disgrace. Parramatta was such a Historical place for early settlement and now most of this has been destroyed.

Please let this historic house stay where it is.

I object to the demolition of another beautiful old building. restore it! Once it’s gone we’re going to be left with boxes.

I object ....

I object to the dismantling and relocation of Williow Grove. This historic heritage listed house and the grounds it sits on hold important historical significance. We should be preserving it where it is, and build a smaller or adjusted museum which accommodates the beautiful Willow Grove.

Every building built in the colony days in Parramatta, had a purpose and was laid out in a certain way when they were built. This needs to be preserved for our history. To move it would destroy its significance and the part it played in its history.

To whom it may Concern,

I object to the proposition of the destruction or the relocation of the historically significant local building WillowGrove.

As a long-time local resident and a former Councillor on the Parramatta City Council The council has in the past strongly advocated that important buildings and the associated street scape be maintained for the betterment of the Parramatta residents. This has included Willowgrove and other building such as the Roxy theatre and the Lancer Barracks etc.

As the Cradle city of Australia, Parramatta must maintain a significant heritage component in the LGA and particularly in the CBD area and surrounds.

I believe that the museum should be located in the North Parramatta Precinct to be part of a Cultural heritage and arts precinct that would complement the burgeoning adjacent CBD area on the other side of the Parramatta river.

I believe that the available space and the associated facility is ill-considered and inappropriate for the available site nor as an expression of recognition of the decentralisation of the Cultural and arts facilities from Sydney CBD.

The site could be repurposed for a more appropriate use by the Council or the State Government.

Parramatta deserves Better.

This whole Powerhouse Museum fiasco has gone too far. I object to the distruction of Parramatta's heritage. Leave Willow Grove alone!!!!

I object to the planned destruction of this wonderful and historic site. Heritage listing should be respected otherwise what is the point of having the protection? We need to preserve our history and culture for future generations.

Regards,
Louise Hilton

We object to the plans for historic "Willowgrove". It should remain in situ and be protected from any form of development, plans to move , or replace this historic building. I have always thought of Parramatta as a place which retains it's history. Seems I was very wrong. As a major Macquarie Town ALL historic structures of any kind should be retained and not demolished, or in any way altered. I live at Liverpool, a Macquarie Town which has lost so much of it's history. It is very tragic when this happens. People go to such towns to see Australia's early history. Sadly to much has already gone. Please do not touch "Willowgrove" or any other historic structure in Parramatta or any other Macquarie town.

I object ....to the NSW government's plan to relocate Willow Grove at Parramatta. The NSW government has no respect for heritage buildings.

I object to the destruction of any building that reflects our proud heritage. It should be preserved not destroyed.

This represents my third submission which implores the State government to LEAVE WILLOW GROVE WHERE IT IS.
The submission is but a quick summary of the facts –
• In every State Government heritage assessment, Willow Grove is referred to as a “significant building” and it’s location on Phillip Street makes it “highly significant” in Parramatta, as it is the last of its style and design that remains in the city.
• The local community & people across NSW want Willow Grove to stay on Phillip Street.
• The residents have consistently asked to be shown the submitted museum designs that incorporates Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace in the design – why has this not happened?
• The best option is to leave this areas as a heritage area, and build any proposed museum in the Fleet street/Gaol area.

The Government’s representatives have consistently attempted to portray Willow Grove as a crumbling relic. Nothing could be further from the truth – the internals are beautiful and that combined with the importance of the grounds and gardens demand it be retained in its current position.

This exceptional Villa and its social history must remain in Phillip Street where it was built for Annie & Thomas Gallagher and their four children 140 years ago.
Finally, I must express my outrage at the proposed treatment of St Georges’ terrace in the newest proposed design.

If this is even being evaluated – PLEASE STOP NOW. This design will make Parramatta a laughing stock.
I would be happy to make a longer, more formal submission if needed.