I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because..

Well its just not rocket science as the saying goes, I propose that the following be put in place immediately

There is a simple solution. A three point plan .

Keep the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo
Create a brilliant Museum and cultural destination at historic Cumberland Hospital Precinct in North Parramatta.
Save historic Willow Grove & St Georges Terraces, and realise the existing Parramatta Council vision for a public square alongside the river

I have been on many cruises over the years, and I can vouch for the fact that there will not be too many people who will venture all the way to Parramatta but who would certainly investigate the Ultimo site as time is of the essence when on a day trip to a major city.

There are so many exhibits available that it is possible to use the excess for the Parramatta / western Sydney site. Yes Western Sydney does need some investment of cultural / educational sites but Please stop knocking down our heritage sites

I object to the Parramatta Project. The Powerhouse Museum and its building are of great historical significance to Sydney and shouldn't be destroyed. Its location is very accessible from all parts of the city. By all means build whatever Parramatta requires. But it doesn't need bits and pieces of the Powerhouse Museum.

TO the abovenamed:

I wish to voice my objection to the Powerhouse Parramatta project being built upon the lands which are Heritage Listed for the following reasons:

a) The destruction of these historic buildings are totally unnecessary; what makes this destruction so wrong is that there are lands in the Parramatta area which have the space to build another Powerhouse Museum eg the previously demolished Parramatta Golf Club or within the grounds of the Parramatta Female Orphan School or (if permissible) Parramatta Park, just to name three.
b) T he meaning of the word “Museum” is:
“A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of artistic, cultural, historical, or scientific importance. Many public museums make these items available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. The largest museums are located in major cities throughout the world, while thousands of local museums exist in smaller cities, towns, and rural areas. Museums have varying aims, ranging from serving researchers and specialists to serving the general public. The goal of serving researchers is increasingly shifting to serving the general public. (Wikipedia)

I therefore submit that by demolishing the “Historic” buildings in Phillip Street Parramatta is pure unadulterated destruction as they all should be kept for all future Generations to visit (as an Historical site) the same as people do in Museums. It is completely ironical and wrong for the NSW Planning Department to be demolishing Historic buildings to place in it’s stead a Museum of Historic importance !!
Willow Grove, at 32 Phillip Street, was built in the 1870s as a private villa, and later became a maternity hospital called 'Estella' Private Hospital, Parramatta 1920 -1953 This Victorian Italianate house was registered as a private hospital when a Mrs E.E. Davidson, a matron and midwife purchased the property in 1919.1 This was the same year the world-wide pandemic of influenza struck Sydney and Parramatta. When Estella Private Hospital opened there were 129 private ‘lying-in’ (or maternity) hospitals recorded in Sydney in 1920. Majority were conducted by trained midwives forming a private maternity hospital system in New South Wales. Estella underwent a name change to Westcourt Private Hospital and it had a telephone number U8503.
1. Office of Environment & Heritage. (n.d.). Willow Grove and potential archaeological site. Retrieved October 4, 2013 from http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=2240440
2. History of 'Willow Grove': 34 Phillip Street, Parramatta. (n.d.). Parramatta, NSW Parramatta Heritage Centre. 'Willow Grove' Vertical File.

c) Willow Grove has been looked after as a private home and then as a Maternity Hospital for over three decades which is of great importance for Australians /women generally.
d) Willow Grove and St.Georges Terraces are absolutely vital to retain for the Community and future Generations because of the character and rare examples of architecture that no longer exist in Parramatta; would any NSW Planning Department agree to demolish any Historic buildings which have been Heritage Listed in the CBD and surrounding areas eg The Rocks, Balmain, Glebe, Leichhardt ?…..I am sure the answer is NO and should not be allowed to happen in Parramatta !!

I PLEAD THAT THE NSW PLANNING DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY TERMINATE THE CURRENT WILLOW GROVE AND ST.GEORGE TERRACE BUILDING PLANS AND RENEGOTIATE ANOTHER AREA IN PARRAMATTA AS I HAVE SUGGESTED.
Thank you for reading my objection and I look forward to a favourable decision.

I haver submitted my submission on the above project but also wish to convey my concerns to you as well.

I am not against the idea of a museum for the area but I do object to the way it is proposed and how it intends to be built. A museum should be appropriate for the uniqueness of Parramatta and historical connections. We have many historical buildings that I am sure could be preserved and given new life as the historical centre of this State.

I object to the destruction of historical buildings in Parramatta: Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace to make way for an inappropriate and ugly modern structure to house the very history that this government is hell bent on destroying. It simply does not make sense.

The historical buildings in Parramatta and surrounds both public and private buildings are unique to the history of Australia and its political beginning should be preserved and celebrated not destroyed. With foresight the care of our history and buildings will bear an abundance in the future as people become more aware of the importance of the history of this area and to the beginnings of this State and politics.

I do believe with care and appropriate attention the history and historical buildings of this area could be a major drawcard for international visitors. The use of our historical building to house a new experience of a museum that embraces our history would be more appropriate for this area and help preserve these unique buildings.

I sincerely hope that the planning committee listens to the people of Parramatta and that commonsense and respect prevail.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project.

I believe this will change the beauty and charm of Parramatta forever. The old and the new should be able to exist together.

I believe we should:
- keep the Powerhouse museum at Ultimo
- create a museum and cultural destination at the historic Cumberland Hospital Precinct in North Parramatta.
- Save historic Willow Grove & St George’s Terraces and build a public square alongside the river.

We have already lost many Old buildings, I think it’s so important to keep these historic buildings for future generations to enjoy.

Letter of Objection to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project in its present form and wish that my objections are noted.
The buildings to be demolished i.e. Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace are part of Parramatta’s and Sydney’s heritage and their demolition is a disgrace and disrespect to our colonial heritage. These buildings have played a part in the social history of Parramatta for well over 100 years.
Assuming the determination of the government to build a new “museum” on the proposed site I urge you to ensure that these two existing buildings be incorporated into the new design. With the amount of general destruction of heritage in Parramatta and surrounding areas I believe it is essential to retain these two buildings.
To date I have made no contribution to any political party and request that you affix my name to the long list of objectors to this proposal.

I have ,besides contacting you, also contacted THe Historic Houses Trust, THe National Trust, And the INstitute of Architects, With my Heritage Knowledge of all of the Buildi ngs You were knocking over that i Personnally have carried out repairs on During my Life with the Public Works Department, since 1958, And my reasons as to why you are nothing but a Group of Neo-Nazi's Doing their Best to get Rid of Australia's History. Having been born in North Parramatta in 1942, and grown up in the area for most of my life, i am aware of the need to maintain the Fabric of these Heritage Buildings, I have been with the Old Public Works as an Apprentice Electrician,and a Tradesman Electrician, finally converting to the Building side as a Building Estimator, which also involved Specification Writing, calling of Tenders, and Supervision of Contract Works, and progressing to a Grade 5 Building Foreman. I still cannot at my present age understand why you should wish to destroy our Australian Heritage.

Having been born in Parramatta in 1942, i have an extensive knowledge of the Heritage of the Area, Added to by being employed by the Old Public Works Department since 1958, to do Repairs as an apprentice, and then as a Tradesman Electrician, and Followed by Being a Building Estimator who also does Specification Writing, and Tender Documents, Followed by Being a Building Foreman in charge of Works carried out on the Heritage Buildings, without Damaging the Fabric of the Buildings, to keep them as built for posterity, When i heard that you were going to start damaging these Buildings, i contacted the Historical Society, the National Heritage Association, and the Institute for Architects, who have allcondemned your proposals. To my Mind, all of your Proposals to destroy these Heritage Buildings, make you no better than Neo-Nazi Criminals. Fronted, and Backed by Large scale Developers, with you in need of learning what your correct Function is , to maintain the Heritage of Australia, God have mercy on your souls

I have ,besides contacting you, also contacted THe Historic Houses Trust, THe National Trust, And the INstitute of Architects, With my Heritage Knowledge of all of the Buildi ngs You were knocking over that i Personnally have carried out repairs on During my Life with the Public Works Department, since 1958, And my reasons as to why you are nothing but a Group of Neo-Nazi's Doing their Best to get Rid of Australia's History. Having been born in North Parramatta in 1942, and grown up in the area for most of my life, i am aware of the need to maintain the Fabric of these Heritage Buildings, I have been with the Old Public Works as an Apprentice Electrician,and a Tradesman Electrician, finally converting to the Building side as a Building Estimator, which also involved Specification Writing, calling of Tenders, and Supervision of Contract Works, and progressing to a Grade 5 Building Foreman. I still cannot at my present age understand why you should wish to destroy our Australian Heritage.