Dear Sir OBJECTION SSD - 10416 I object to the above mentioned development for the following reasons - HERITAGE The proponent proposes to destroy two heritage listed buildings, the 1870's Italianate Mansion Willow Grove and the St George’s Terrace, which comprises seven two-storey terrace houses built from 1881. Willow Grove's state heritage listing notes that it is “a good example of a Victorian Italianate two-storey villa, readily identifiable as part of historic building stock and strongly contributing to the streetscape in spite of its large setback, partly through its notable fence.” The listing states that Willow Grove is of significance for historical, aesthetic and representative reasons. St George’s Terrace is recognized as significant for historical and aesthetic reasons. “The group [of houses] presents as having a relatively high degree of integrity when viewed from the street and strongly contributes to the Phillip Street streetscape and the character of the Parramatta townscape,” reads the statement of significance. The proposal to destroy these two buildings makes a mockery of state heritage laws and undermines the public's confidence in the state government and the planning process. What is the point of heritage listing buildings if they can be destroyed regardless? I strongly object to the destruction of these two heritage listed buildings. PROPOSAL Construct a Museum and cultural destination at the historic Cumberland Hospital Precinct in North Parramatta. Retain the historic Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces, and implement the existing Parramatta Council vision for a public square alongside Parramatta River. Sincerely Yours John Berry NB: I have not made any political donations in the past 5 years. I give permission for my name and comments to be published.

I object to the proposal and make the following comments:

Demolition of Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace
The proposal requires the demolition of ‘one of a kind’ Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace.
Significantly, the heritage listed Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace are two of four properties purchased by the City of Parramatta (Council) in 2015 for the purposes of amalgamating the sites around Council’s larger carpark site to advance Council’s River Strategy.
Council records indicate the purchases were intended to advance Council’s River Strategy, with the retention of Willow Grove a key part of that strategy, and a new River Square and green Civic Link to Parramatta Square, central to Council’s plans.
The NSW government has repeatedly given its commitment to retain Willow Grove, with the Civic Link plans ratified by the Council Administrator in July 2017, just prior to the Heads of Agreement that was signed between the government and Council.
However evidence now shows the government never intended to retain the site, having conducted feasibility studies in 2016, prior to announcing the riverbank site as its preferred site, which remove Willow Grove. This is contrary to repeated public representations including town hall meetings with community.
Furthermore, Council purchases followed the completion of a Preliminary and Final Business Case for the refurbishment of the existing Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo, having successfully passed through two NSW Government Gateway Reviews in late 2014.
Flood Risk Management
Concerns around the flood risk management have not been sufficiently unaddressed, with key data still outstanding.
Specifically the technical report prepared by Arup for INSW as the proponent does not appear to take account of a draft report by Molino Steward for the purpose of Council’s CBD Gateway application, for ‘exceptional circumstances’ which the then DPE granted on the basis of the provision of additional data. The latest report (version 7) tabled to Council in October last year, notes that data is still outstanding with a final report anticipated in 2020. This report remains outstanding.
Council Representations
Prior to the appointment of an Administrator to Council in May 2016, Council urgently convened a Special Meeting on the 14 January 2016 to consider urgent action pertaining to the Museum’s relocation and the riverbank site. Specifically, Council resolved to write to the relevant Ministers expressing the community’s concern about the Powerhouse’s possible relocation to Parramatta and the riverbank site, and advocate for the museum’s relocation to Parramatta Golf Course, or alternatively the Old King School further upstream which had originally been mooted by INSW in 2014, otherwise consider the Parramatta Jail site, and the reasons therefore.
Moreover Council resolved that the (new) Museum must ‘not disadvantage Council in achieving its vision for the river’ and ‘not disadvantage Council’s strategic asset on the site’.
Furthermore, in the aftermath of Mike Baird’s resignation, media reports indicate a Compulsory Land Acquisition notice was issued to council while under administration, after an impasse between council and the government. It is not known if the Special Meeting on the 14 January 2016 was convened in response to this.
Notably too, in evidence presented by the Administrator to a Parliamentary Inquiry in August 2017, indicated that the Heads of Agreement signed on 28 July 2017, effectively locked Council in.
Later, in December 2017, a confidential Deed between Government and Council was signed, with concerns about the governance process.
Given Council’s now CEO, was Property NSW’s then CEO at the time of the negotiations, with media reports indicating carriage for the negotiations by the government to purchase the Parramatta site, this prompts questions whether there is any potential conflict in terms of Council’s current representations, and whether an independent report is necessary.

I object in the strongest possible way to the proposal to redevelop Willow Grove and other adjoining properties for the development of the Powerhouse Parramatta project.

It would be so wrong to take the existing Powerhouse Museum out of Ultimo, and relocate to the Willow Grove site. Willow Grove itself and the St. Georges Terrace are great examples of early Australian architecture. They are more than worthy of retaining. How can you even consider demolishing them??? And to build a so called "Museum" when these buildings are almost 'museums' themselves!!!!

We have lost so many of our heritage buildings - it would be criminal to lose these. The surroundings and gardens, where existing, should be retained also.

By what I have read, there would not be enough space in the new "museum" to accommodate all the wonderful items that are at Ultimo anyway. So its a pretty daft idea in the first place.

I would like to see the Powerhouse Museum stay in Ultimo, and all the buildings retained.

A new "Museum", or Gallery, or Exhibiiion Space could be created at Parramatta, but please, do not destroy Willow Grove or the St. Georges Terrace to do so, or any other building of historical value for that matter.

I have never made any contributions to a political party.

Hello Planning NSW,

I wish to voice MY OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSED POWERHOUSE PARRAMATTA PROJECT.

Firstly I would state that I have not made any reportable political donations.
And I would request that my name be withheld from being published with regard to this submission...however my initials and suburb would be acceptable.

In particular I am totally opposed to the Powerhouse Museum being relocated from its current site in the Sydney CBD. It is an important public facility which truly enhances the vibrant Darling Harbour precinct of our beautiful city, attracting thousands of local and overseas visitors each year. It provides a cultural and educational hub where people gather for social and informational activity. And I believe its current Sydney location would attract more visitors than a relocated Museum in Parramatta.

I am also totally opposed to valuable and unique heritage buildings in Parramatta...ie, Willow Grove Villa and St Georges Terraces...being wantonly destroyed simply to make space for a huge and utterly unnecessary relocated Powerhouse Museum.

As a child I remember my Grandparents (residents of Westmead) taking us to visit many of the historical buildings around Parramatta during our school holidays. Even then I was taken with the architectural detail and the history of these olden day buildings and I loved hearing the stories of my Grandparents early days and how people lived back then...so hard to imagine without seeing the buildings/conditions first hand.

We should treasure these last remaining icons from our colourful history...not destroy them!!! I would like to take MY grandchildren to visit these sites and to share the wonder of our bygone days. Why are we Australians so eager to destroy our past...why cant be be more like European countries where governments and citizens celebrate their past and value and preserve the buildings, statues, landmarks, etc, which enhance their sense of place and character.

Please re-consider this abominable proposal...celebrate our history and treasure our amazing colonial architecture and character...it is unique in the world and deserves to survive for generations to come.

I am writing this too you as a very concerned person who doesn't like our Heritage been torn down for a Museum that should never be moved from Ultimo.
My concerns are : The new Museum will be built on a flood plain at Parramatta
All the displays from Ultimo will not fit in especially the catilina flying boat
The steam train
All the other displays which the school children visit and if a school was in Asquith it would take too long to get to Parramatta but if it was left at Ultimo its a central area and easier to get to.
I appeal to you to reject this and save Willow Grove a 1800’s Building as we are losing to much Heritage in NSW and my other concerns are damage to the items from the present Museum.
Willow Grove is rich in History and Parramatta has already lost a 200 year old pub which should never have been allowed, in the UK for example they have buildings going back to the 1700’s or earlier they don't tear down their History they keep it.
So iam appealing to you person to person please don't let this go ahead!! nearly every person nearly every radio station have said they don't understand why the Government wants to move the Power House Museum and leave Willow Grove alone , if the Museum has to move, move it it to Castle Hill ?
Thank You
Christopher Russell
PO BOX 297
THORNLEIGH NSW 2120

Dear Mr. Rob Stokes MP,

I would like to support the retention of historic buildings of Willow Grove and the St Georges Terraces at Parramatta. These two sites are part of our history in the area from the early days of settlement.

I would like to see the current Powerhouse Museum at Pyrmont retained as this is a very important asset to the history of Sydney and a major tourist attraction for our city. It has a fine collection of our early settlement and industrial history that should be kept on display for our future generations of students and tourists.

A major new museum in Parramatta is needed to display our current history. It could be built around these historic buildings beside the Parramatta River. Since this area is known to flood the car park for the new Museum of Parramatta could be built underneath to allow the flood surge to pass under the building when required. The height of the building could be increased to compensate for the loss of floor space lost for retaining the existing historic buildings. Even the old buildings could be incorporated into the new building as the entrance, administration offices, food court and retail shop for the museum.

The current proposed museum site beside the river is good as the river ferries from Sydney dock close by at the Parramatta weir to allow easy access for the tourists. It is a beautiful trip up the harbour similar to the way the area was serviced in the early days of settlement.

Please consider these thoughts in the long-range planning of our great cities of Sydney and Parramatta.

Remember over 10% of Australia's population lives in the greater metropolitan area of Sydney west of Parramatta and the number is increasing every year with the new housing developments.

Please stop the imminent destruction of the World Class Powerhouse Museum

Your shameless Government has no right to destroy what belongs to ALL Australians.
It is crystal clear that your only reason for destroying the Museum is to hand the site to developer mates.
You still have time to act with integrity and stop This disgraceful destruction.
Please do so
STOP THIS DISGRACEFUL and DISHONEST DESTRUCTION

as a long term resident of Parramatta-60years-and a former councillor on Parramatta council, i protest about thepowerhouse museum site.my objection is the site it not suitable for many reasons.,the main one is the traffic situation,Parramatta is a small area of CBD already Parramatta is not a place to visit as parking isimpossible, also i recall 2 major floods of the river in 1988 when the Lennox bridge was almost covered in flood water.the siteof the old hospital mental would be a far better choice,.i trust my objection will be noted.there are numerous other reasons for a re-think on the planned move that i am sure you are aware. I concern, as a long time resident is that PARRAMATTA will lose its character and sense of history as the cradle city of the nation.

I consider this planned move a severe waste of public money and resources, and a destructive act against heritage. Further, it is clearly unwanted by the public and a source of great frustration to democratic processes and community lives.

Put a stop to it now!