I wish to object in the strongest terms to the proposal to demolish the above ‘heritage’ buildings.
I severed as an Alderman on the former Parramatta City Council for 28 years and Mayor and Lord Mayor for 9 years.
When first elected to the office of Mayor in 1975 I had the honour and privilege to be joint chairman of the Joint Steering Committee, with the Chairman of the then Stata Planning Authority, of the Study which formulated plans to elevate Parramatta CBD to the status of the second CBD in the Sydney Region, ,the town planning guidelines, and the necessary infrastructure to achieve the then proposed elevated status of the Parramatta CBD.
The aims and objectives of the Study included:
• The preservation, restoration and maintenance of buildings and places of historic and heritage significance.
• Protection of such items from adverse impact by surrounding development.
• Protection of the foreshores of the Parramatta River.
• Development of advanced town planning controls and measures to fulfill the role of the Parramatta CBD to become a modern city whilst protecting and preserving the many heritage and places therein.
• The design of building envelopes to ensure that new development did not adversely impact on the foregoing matters.
The Steering Committee was particularly mindful to ensure that the future development of the Parramatta CBD, unlike the development of the Sydney CBD, would not result in the demolition, destruction, and desecration of the many preserved heritage items therein.
As part of the Study, Helen Proudfoot, with Mark Horn, was commissioned to carry out a study to identify building and places worthy of protection and preservation. He3len Proudfoot was regarded as a pioneer in the study of the natural and built environment and founder of the Australian historic buildings movement. She was among the first female town planners in Sydney, and her publications remain important reference sources for student of Australian planning and heritage.
The introduction to the Proudfoot Study includes the following remarks:
‘In consideration of the unique qualities of Parramatta, the approach has been to endeavour to see the area as a whole, with specific qualities of its own, which if has inherited from its past.
This pas past has been so intimately bound up with the mainstream of Australian colonial development that it must command special attention and consideration in the planning of the Parramatta of the future.
It has not been considered sufficient merely to pick out a few notable buildings in the National Monument class and to make special recommendations about their enhancement though this has also been done.
It is this special quality of the place which should be recognised, retained and amplified during the City’s development so that the history and character of Parramatta since its foundation in 1788 may be seen by present and future generations.’
Both buildings were recommended to be scheduled under the Parramatta Planning Scheme as Key Buildings.
This recommendation was unanimously adopted by the Steering Committee and were incorporated in the Planning Scheme for the Parramatta CBD and its successors.
The citizens of Parramatta are extremely proud of its history and the heritage buildings therein.
Indeed, Parramatta has been recognised as one the most important heritage cities and towns in Australia. The Mayor and City Town Planner were invited to attend a national conference of such Cities and Towns in the Barossa Valley in 1977. It was ominous that the City of Sydney was not invited.
The following extracts from the poem by Greg Dunn titled “Parramatta” are representative of the feelings of Parramatta citizens to its heritage:
‘I have not scratched the surface of the heritage of the town
But what scares me most is those who’d want to tear our history down
Although we’re young, out heritage is embedded deep inside
The people west of Sydney share the birth place of the nation
The relics of our convict past have need of preservation
There are officials in high places who have deemed that they don’t matter
But they form a code of ethics for folks of Parramatta.’
During my terms as, Alderman, Councillor, Mayor and Lord Mayor of Parramatta no heritage items were lost.
“Willow Grove” nestled on the banks of the Parramatta River has always been regarded as one of the City’s prize items of heritage and has withstood several attempts to have it demolished.
“St George’s Terrace” was restored and refurbished in the mid 1970s and was successfully used for commercial purposes since then. I had the honour and privilege of officiating at the opening.
It was regarded as one of the many successes in the quest to save heritage building for prosperity.
An example of the strong feelings and concern of the citizens of Parramatta towards the preservation of heritage items was the loss, in an election about 30 years ago, of the Stata seat of Parramatta by the sitting MP who publicly supported the proposed demolition of an item of heritage in the CBD.
The proposal was subsequently abandoned.
If the Government wishes to retain the respect and support of the people of Parramatta these two heritage building must be preserved at all costs.

We have so little heritage in this country that I implore you not to demolish the two buildings to make way for another powerhouse museum. I have sat on the board of the Australian Institute of Architects and currently sit on the Royal Botanic Gardens Trust.

I strongly suggest that there are ways to preserve heritage with a reuse agenda and find alternative sites if necessary.

I 100% object to the Powerhouse. Museum project at Parramatta. In the governments own reports it states : Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace are one of a kind in the Parramatta CBD and their loss would have a significant impact on the community's connection with heritage"

I totally agree with this sentiment but more than that it is not just the community of Parramatta that will be affected, it is all of NSW and in fact Australian residents who will be impacted.

I live in Northern NSW but for many years lived on the Parramatta River and our heritage buildings all throughout Sydney are magnificent and should be revered, treasured and protected at all costs. Once they are destroyed they can never be brought back. And our history in Parramatta is particularly important. Instead of destroying these beautiful and irreplaceable buildings they should be protected and showcased which will not only benefit locals and all Australians but can also bring tourist dollars to Parramatta. Embrace a historical Precinct of Parramatta and be proud of our architectural and social history.

I would recommend keeping the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo. It is a magnificent museum and should remain where it is. It needs the space where it is and the plans for a scaled-down version in Parramatta are very lacking and would not only destroy beautiful heritage buildings but the essence of the Powerhouse Museum itself.


A brilliant Museum and cultural destination could be created at historic Cumberland Hospital Precinct in North Parramatta.

And incredibly importantly save historic Willow Grove & St Georges Terraces, and realise the existing Parramatta Council vision for a public square alongside the river.

Please I urge you not to destroy our heritage. It belongs to us all in NSW and enough has already been destroyed. Embrace beautiful buildings like Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces and be proud of our historical roots.

I do not usually write to council however on this occasion I felt it necessary to voice that I completely object to the destruction of Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace in Parramatta. It’s so sadly ironic to destroy such a beautiful representation of history to make way for a (powerhouse) museum.

A suggestion might be instead to retain the building and use it as an extension to the powerhouse and incorporate some art / history within that visitors can visit alongside the proposed museum. I for one can vouch that I’d prefer to visit the museum if willow grove was part of the attraction.

Dear Sir

Please accept this registration of my disapproval of the planned destruction of Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace at Parramatta.

This is an outrage, not in the public interest and one should hope that we can be more creative with our solutions to allow development while preserving our history.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project.

My reasons are:

• The destruction and loss of heritage – Willow Grove and the St George Terraces
The EIS underlies the significance of these heritage buildings however does not adequately outline or study the importance of these buildings to the social history of Parramatta and the adverse impact on the sense of place and character for Parramatta of the loss these heritage buildings would have. Equally the heritage study does not take into account the broader significance of this heritage to Western Sydney and NSW.

• The importance of Willow Grove to the history of women and families in the Parramatta and western Sydney community
Willow Grove was a maternity hospital until the 1950s – retention of Willow Grove would continue to rightly acknowledge the importance of the building to the social identity and fabric of the Parramatta and western Sydney community. To my knowledge, there is no other example in western Sydney remaining of this type of building (built in the 1870s) that provided maternity services. This is significant particularly given that this is an important part of the story of Parramatta’s rich medical history from the convict hospital through to the current Westmead precinct. The destruction of this building will mean the loss of a major part of remaining physical history for both Parramatta and Western Sydney.

• Cumulative impact in Parramatta and for Western Sydney of heritage destruction
With the recent loss of the Royal Oak Hotel Parramatta, Parramatta pool and concerns regarding heritage buildings on the site of the metro west station - the loss of Willow Grove and St George Terrace will continue to erode the ‘living heritage’ of Parramatta and western Sydney particularly given that these buildings are the only example of their type in the Parramatta CBD. The resulting loss of sense of place for the western Sydney and Parramatta communities will be adversely impacted adversely.


• Adverse impact on Parramatta CBD
Great significance should be placed on the fact that these heritage buildings are rare examples of the type of architecture they are ascribed that remain in the Parramatta CBD. This includes the open space in front of the Willow Grove home and plants that form part of the site. The buildings should be incorporated fully into the design of the proposed “Parramatta Powerhouse” as has occurred recently in Western Australia. The lawn and plantation surrounding Willow Grove ensures open space in this part of the CBD. The proposed undercroft of the “Parramatta Powerhouse” will not enhance the aesthetic of the proposed building or its surrounds. The EIS does not elaborate on the community safety aspects of the undercroft area. The retention and or integration of the heritage buildings will enhance the aesthetic of the surrounding physical environment and provide a better solution for community safety.

• Alternative Sites not considered by the EIS and the Public Interest
The EIS has not studied or considered alternative sites (such as the Cumberland Hospital precinct) for the proposed ‘Powerhouse Parramatta’. With the potential loss of such significant heritage, it was in the public interest and relevant (Section 4.15(1)(e) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act) that the EIS consider other alternate sites and their suitability for the proposed major project. The determining authority is bound to consider the public interest in determining ultimately the development application yet the EIS as part of the DA major project process is flawed and provides no information on other suitable sites.

Apart from the heritage aspect, the flooding and community safety aspects of the project cannot be remedied with the proposed stilts building.

Thank you for taking my submission into account.

Please don’t destroy Willow Grove & St Georges Terrace at Parramatta.

Hi,

I'm sure i'm just another one of the many that have emailed you contesting against the demolishment of the Willow grove & St Georges terrace.
I know that this email isn't going to help save it as money is always power but at least I will know that I was one of the ones that tried to help save this incredible piece of history.

Please don't knock this place down to build just another concrete jungle how will our children ever know that such beauty existed in our history.

Heritage listed doesn't mean anything when big dollars are involved.

Please think of our next generation what will they have left of Sydney's history if it's all gone.


Please consider

I am writing to you directly as I unsuccessfully spent about ten minutes yesterday attempting to enter the Planning portal website.

Willow Grove may not be unique but I’m sure it's preferable to whatever outlandish concrete block is proposed.

I was a resident of North Parramatta for 10 years and always felt disappointed when visiting the CBD at how much heritage architecture had been lost.

Heritage buildings are a tangible connection to our past. They are part of our collective memory and identity. European towns treasure their historic centres as cultural and tourist hubs. Paris would not be Paris unless legislation prevented inappropriate development in the CBD. Plus a great deal of old world charm resides in these precincts that continues to attract us - think The Rocks.

Let us treasure the little that remains in Parramatta, repurposing the buildings appropriately. For instance, the Old Government House site is also a restaurant and function centre (where I was actually married in 1994). How wonderful then to have a world class museum located in the Cumberland Historic Precinct, surrounded by beautiful green space. And what a great opportunity to finally establish a long overdue museum of indigenous art and culture, with displays, exhibitions and performances. In 2013 I visited the Tjibaou Cultural Centre of Kanak culture in Noumea, on its beautiful site overlooking the ocean (see photo). We could equally have something stunning that could also play an educative role and act as one of the highlights of a visit to Sydney, as does the Tjbaou Centre for Noumea.

Certainly let’s value the new, but as custodians of our culture for future generations, you are also charged with retaining our links to the old.