Powerhouse Parramatta

I object ….

I object .... people spend lots of their holidays over seas looking at ruins old buildings ect & the great dollar’s they provide help keep things in good order, but here in Australia we demolish beautiful old buildings; gardens, & lots of other interesting places.

When will governments realise if this keeps going we will have nothing left for overseas visitors to see so soon they will be gone too, also me & lots I know overseas to enjoy their beauty.

If my home had been declared a heritage. building I would not be able to change things but government seems to think they are above all, you need to remember you are servants of the people & should listen to what they say

Leonie Hill

I object to the demolition / removal / relocation or modification to the Parramatta property known as Willowgrove.
I believe the Garden, Fences and location are an integral part of the houses historical significance and that any move or change will greatly reduce its authenticity and historical significance. Being in its location shows the history of the area as much is now unrecognisable from what it used to be, this is part of the appeal of the property and it is not just an object, it is part of the whole sites historical significance.
Please work out some other arrangements for the infrastructure that is wanted, perhaps Willowgrove can be a centre piece.

I object to the demolition of Willow Grove as it is a crucial part of Parramatta’s history and any attempt to relocate will destroy all the fabric and thus all the history of the building.

Surely the premier doesn’t want her legacy permanently tarnished like that of a previous premier who signed off on the demolition of the Regent Theatre, which will follow him for the rest of his life no matter what excuse he offers!

Such an act will be considered architectural vandalism and wilful destruction of the state’s heritage

Yours sincerely
Les Cocker

I object and oppose the Powerhouse Move and object and oppose the much loved heritage Willow Grove mansion of being demolished as it will have very, VERY serious ramifications and consequences if were demolished and not just very serious ramifications and consequences, but also serious damages and will make the history fabric of Parramatta look like an ugly eyesore of the most ugly looking high rise apartments and people will look back and future state governments will realise that it was a horrible and stupid and silly mistake of demolishing the Willow Grove world heritage mansion. Please, please, please under any circumstances. DO NOT TOUCH The Willow Grove world heritage mansion.

I cannot believe you think this is a good idea. Does money really mean that much to the Liberal Party that they are willing to remove everything that is valuable. We have enough concrete buildings. Leave our history alone.


Kind Regards


Belinda Hobman,

It never ceases to amaze me that those who hold Government positions be it local, state or federal who are paid generous salaries to look after the interests and make important decisions on behalf of rate-payers & tax payers in this country are the very ones who continually make the most insane decisions with little or no regard to public opinion or our precious heritage. The proposal to demolish/remove historic Willow Grove from Phillip St Parramatta is one such decision. I believe the decision makers underestimate the historical significance of Willow Grove not only to residents of Parramatta but also those in greater Sydney and the state of NSW.

Willow Grove has stood proudly for 140 years where so many more modern structures are lucky to survive a decade. Why should historical architecture such as Willow Grove have to be demolished/moved to make way for modern architecture in the form of the proposed Powerhouse Museum? The Developers of the Powerhouse Museum should be embracing this magnificent building and incorporating it into their proposed design for future generations to showcase that a significant structure from an earlier period does not need to be replaced simply because of "progress".

Please reconsider saving Willow Grove.

I just can’t understand the logic of pulling down Willow Grove. I don’t understand why the old building can’t be part of a new precinct where as part of a museum we celebrate the old rather than move or destroy it. It would be a huge expense to move it. The money would be better spent on making sure this beautiful existing building is ready to receive visitors.

The new Powehouse building is not in keeping with the historical nature of the site so hopefully, adjustments and changes could be made to accommodate this. It will be quite embarrassing in the future to think that an old building was moved from its historical location to make way for a museum! Totally ironic. Please save Willow Grove in its current location. Perhaps the new Powehouse could even be built on the location where it is planned to move Willow Grove!

I have just returned from fieldwork in southwestern NSW and tried to send an email to you five times before the closing date but each one bounced back. I hope you will accept this late submission as there appeared to be a problem with your emails.

I object in the strongest possible terms to the proposed demolition and 'relocation' of 'Willow Grove' from its original site in Phillip Street, Parramatta. I have professional and personal reasons for my objection. I was born in 'Willow Grove' when it was the Aloha Maternity Hospital. I am a proud Australian and a proud Parramatta man - it is my country. As a heritage practitioner with over 40 years' experience in museology and cultural heritage conservation I object to the proposal as it is totally at odds with current best practice in heritage conservation as espoused in the Burra Charter of Australia ICOMOS. The historic buildings previously relocated in Parramatta i.e. the Kings School Chapel and Linden House were both moved more than three decades ago - heritage conservation has moved on since then and so should the NSW Government.
The Powerhouse Parramatta project has been flawed from the start and has read like a script from the ABC TV series 'Utopia'. Let the current NSW Governemnt be remembered for good handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Summer bushfires, not for heritage vandalism on the banks of the Parramatta River!

My Objection Submission regarding removal of Willow Grove

It is totally unacceptable that this building will be removed and its beautiful grounds destroyed to build the new Powerhouse museum on the site.

I strongly object to this trashing of our history and destruction of our precious period buildings. This type of disrespect and vandalism has been going on for too long in Sydney and needs to stop immediately.

It is not in the public interest and is a direct attack on Parramatta’s heritage. There seems to be some other reasons beyond what meets the eye. This sort of shenanigans would not be seen or tolerated in Sophisticated Modern Countries so why is it acceptable here?

As a deeply concerned resident of Parramatta I strongly object to the relocation of Willowgrove.
It is like no other building & must remain in 'place'.
Relocation would destroy its social history significance & it would be a shadow of its former self.
It's a sad day when the community's voice does not register with Planning NSW.
Thank you for receiving my submission.

FINAL DAY YOU CAN REGISTER YOUR OBJECTION TO WILLOWGROVE 140 history being removed from Phillip Street Parramatta.

Today is the deadline to send your email to register your objection to the government insane proposal to remove Willow Grove from Phillip Street and replace it with a replica beside parramatta gaol.

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.

From its features to its history, Parramatta’s Willow Grove is “like no other building”.

Joanne Vella’s Daily Telegraph article reveals an inside look Into the heritage listed villa.

Check it out here 👉🏼 - https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/parramatta/inside-heritagelisted-willow-grove-at-parramatta/news-story/2ced111ac29462a29be40d3952f0371b

The National Trust and its heritage architects have condemned the proposal to relocate this 140 year old Villa. Nothing would survive and it’s social history significance lost once removed from where it was built.

Willowgrove is a place of beauty in its place and more importantly a place in history that should never be moved from its current foundation. It can never be the same Willowgrove that was if it is moved.
It can be made part of and surrounded by the new
Museum in a way that can be appreciated from many angles by building around and above it with floor glass viewing but with the front still being appreciated of its workmanship of that time so long ago.
Make it so people can still walk around it to the River and conduct tours through it and have it recovered from its many years of wear.
I l lived in Parramatta for many years before I ever knew it was there but it was love at first site and the bride was already dressed in white. Guys it has to stay. There has to be an artistic way to incorporate it into the new Museum and not lose this beauty.

The Steele Family Lind Avenue Oatlands.

Please send your objection email now by clicking here
[email protected]

Every voice counts !

#SaveWillowGrove

Hi To Whom it may concern,

Very simple.
Willow Grove must remain in Parramatta the way it is Willow Grove should be heritage listed and should not be touched.
It's part of Parramatta and Sydney's history.
Will be very disappointing if this beautiful house is relocated and a new replica house built. It will not be the same.
You can't replace history and something that means so much to the people of Parramatta.
Kind regards
David

I wish to submit my objection to Willow Grove being demolished and/or "relocated" to an alternate location.

This building is an irreplaceable part of Parramattas history and any replica or rebuild in an alternate location is not a sufficient way to protect this history.

It is not acceptable that so much of our history is being demolished. A world class city should be sympathetic to its history and incorporate historic buildings into future development. These buildings must be protected for future generations.

Any approved design should retain Willow Grove in its current location

To Whom It May Concern,

I'd like to lodge my objection to the Government's proposal to move Willow Grove from Phillip Street Parramatta and replace it with a replica beside Parramatta Goal.

This beautiful historical home and it's history must remain in Phillip Street Parramatta in it's original location and state.

Previously I lived in North Parramatta and nothing gave me more pleasure than walking past this beautiful home and its surroundings.

It would be a travesty to lose such a vital building and it's history in the heart of Parramatta.

Please keep Willow Grove in it's current state and location. This house should be heritage listed and not touched or moved. It's part of Parramatta and Sydney's history.

Please leave Willowgrove where it is. It deserves to stay in its original place, surrounded by trees etc that have given this beautiful building protection for years. It is ludicrous to even contemplate removing it stone by stone. The people of NSW cherish this building. It’s our history. How dare this government even think of this? Shameful. Protect it now & forever. I implore you to rethink and look after this building.

I believe Willowgrove to be an importantpiece of Australias female heritage and should be preserved in situ for all Australians.

Some times i wish i had never worked for the State Government, doing Building Comstruction and Maintenance, when people some years later like your self with nobody knows what beckground, turn around and deliberately destroy Heritage Buildings,worth Multiple Millions of Dollars in heritage Values alone.

This time i have sent an email, as some of your staff, or your self decided not to return my last last request..

1/ what is your Qualification to destroy or supervise the destruction of heritage buildings.and

2/ where is all of this Public monies being wasted on whose Authority, i have it on Heritage Architects authority that you and your people should be held responsible for the wastage of Public Monies, that cannot be explained in any way under Probity.

I object...

I object TO WILLOWGROVE being removed from Phillip Street Parramatta.


Neil Edwards