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.

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

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.

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.

I strongly object to the proposal to close the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo. I do not object to the proposal to create a museum at Parramatta but do object to the proposed site. The reasons for my objection are as follows.
1. The existing Powerhouse Museum is world renowned and is part of a complex of museums, galleries and tourist attractions all within a 2km walking radius of the Sydney GPO. There is no valid reason to close it, in fact it should be enhanced at its present site.
2. The present proposal is clouded in secrecy – What is proposed for the Ultimo site? Where is the business case? Which items are going to be moved and displayed at Parramatta and how?
3. A new museum (in fact a whole complex) should be created in Parramatta and there are sufficient items that could be displayed from the Powerhouse collection as well as from the Art Gallery and the Australian Museum. This could also incorporate an Indigenous History and Culture museum
4. There is no information on what is being proposed for the world class exhibits eg – Boulton Watt steam engine, Catalina Flying Boat, Locomotive No 1 – how can these be moved safely and continue (for the engine and locomotive) to be run in their historic steam form. How are these large items to be transferred and installed
5. The Parramatta proposal includes the destruction of two historic heritage buildings – how can a Government support such vandalism.
6. How can the government also use a flood prone site to house such invaluable and irreplaceable objects.
7. The proposal has received numerous objections which the government has ignored. It is another example of poor planning and government hubris and based on the government’s record and lack of concern this objection will no doubt be ignored as well

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

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

Dear Marcus,

The past should not be forgotten or forgiven only understand.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because..

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

I am an architectural graduate, who is extremely passionate about Sydney's built landscape; old and new. As a city we need to embrace our historically and culturally significant buildings. The recently completed award-winning Marrickville Library is a perfect example of how to provide a great new facility for a community whilst repurposing a building that has already provided so much for that same community. The Marrickville Library maintained and repurposed the old Marrickville Womans Hospital as the main collection areas of the library with a new building and roof formed adjacent and adjoining the old heritage building. The result is a combination of old and new structures, providing a state-of-the-art facility that is grounded in the history of that specific place.

There is no reason the site of Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace in Parramatta reason shouldn't be developed, but I ask you to please make the retention of these two significant buildings compulsory. The community of Parramatta deserves a state-of-the-art new museum (not a relocated powerhouse). By retaining Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace the museum will have its two best collection items before is even begins construction.

I would like to see a new, site specific museum for the community of Parramatta. I would like to see the retention of the Power House Musuem in Ultimo - We don't need more multi residential buildings along the Ultimo Pedestrian Network. If you would like the UPN to be a thriving area, then it needs more cultural buildings; not less. I would like to see the retention of Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace and that they are listed on the state and national heritage registry so that this conversation is not even possible in the future.

I wish to object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Development.
The reasons are as follows:
1. Heritage – so many historical buildings around Parramatta have already been lost. We need to preserve those that remain, including Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces. Parramatta’s history and its part in the history of our nation go without saying. It would be a national tragedy to lose more of that history. The architecture, the stories and the society that the buildings represent is irreplaceable. I live in an 1870s house and I am not allowed to alter its façade at all, and for very good reason. However, I do not see the point of saving any historical buildings if there will be exceptions when it seems convenient to some.
Historical buildings have formed part of ‘modern’ developments all over our country, including in Parramatta (e.g. Parramatta Justice Precinct). I am confident that the developers in those instances would have found it more convenient to simply demolish the old buildings, but the greater, long term interests of the community were taken into account and the buildings were retained. Other examples where historical buildings have been retained in and around new developments include: Maitland City Council is building its new offices around the historic façade; Bishops House and London Court in Perth CBD and Newcastle Museum.
2. Financial – anyone can build a brand new ‘modern’ building with brand new fixtures, fittings and features. That can be done anywhere and they are everywhere. A point of difference is gained by retaining heritage buildings for fine dining, functions or even just a kiosk or café. There are examples of this all over the nation as well. Premium prices are paid at The Mint, Old Government House, Bishops Court, and many others. It makes commercial sense to retain and work with the uniqueness of Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces.
3. Environment – the area where the development is proposed floods regularly and any flood mitigation strategies would be expensive. Flooding may render some or parts of the building unusable for periods, may prevent travel to and from the building and may at some point be more extreme than predicted, causing widespread damage. Using the area as an open space precinct, as proposed by Parramatta City Council, makes much more sense.
4. Viable alternatives – there are alternative sites for a museum precinct or function space or whatever you wish to call what is currently planned (Cumberland Hospital Precinct in North Parramatta). There are also alternative ways to use the site that would retain the heritage buildings, be more commercially sensible and more in line with the flood prone environment. At the very least, if it is decided that there will be a large development at that site, I cannot understand why tenderers were not asked to retain the historic buildings and ensure they formed part of the development.