I would like to make a submission re the Powerhouse Parramatta Development.
I object to the currently proposed museum plan for the current site on Parramatta River for a number of reasons.
1. Loss of historic assets. In the government's 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”. Hence, I support the retention of the historic buildings currently on the site and the support the idea of finding an alternative site in the Parramatta area, e.g. the Cumberland Hospital Precinct in North Parramatta.

2. Collection Risk. I do not support any part of the Powerhouse’s collection being placed on a site that is essentially in a flood risk zone. Nor should any part of the valuable collection be placed at risk by being merely ‘decorations’ in commercially hired venue spaces.

3. Design for success. As a professional art and design educator, I think more planning, consultation and investigation are needed in order to ensure that this project is a success for all concerned.

Attention: Marcus Jennejohn

Ryde Community Alliance
PO Box 6116
North Ryde
NSW 2113

21 July, 2020

NSW DPIE
Major Projects

Re: Powerhouse Parramatta proposed demolitions, etc.

Ryde Community Alliance is a community environmental group opposed to the
destruction of buildings and places of heritage significance. The Alliance is comprised of individuals and groups that advocate for the conservation of items of local, state and national significance and are opposed to over-development in the Sydney Region.

The Alliance objects to the proposal as exhibited, for the following reasons:

1. Destruction of the listed items of environmental heritage is not justified.
The buildings have previously been the subject of heritage assessment, and public consultation, in accordance with the laws of the State. They have been assessed in accordance with the relevant Guidelines for Assessing Items of environmental heritage as prepared by the NSW Heritage Council, and the listing was endorsed by the Council, the NSW Government, the Minister for Planning, before being gazetted in the LEP.

2. Failure to consider the impact of the proposed demolition and site works on the visual catchment and historic townscape of the Parramatta CBD and it’s setting on the Parramatta River.
The historic buildings and their landscaped setting are characteristic of the historic township. Their demolition and the removal of trees and vegetation has not been assessed for it’s impact on the wider context of the nineteenth century development of the township and the River foreshores.

3. Disrespect for the people of Parramatta and their stated preference for proposed developments to retain historic buildings and maintain the traditional scale of the townscape.
If approved, the current proposal would permit the historic buildings to be demolished without any certainty regarding the buildings that may eventually be approved and constructed In their place, on the site. This is highlighted by serious concerns raised by the public regarding the history of flooding and stormwater flow across the floodplain of the Parramatta River and it’s Catchment. These issues have yet to be addressed. Therefore, demolition of these buildings is premature in the absence of formal assessment of the proposed future development of new buildings on the site. Demolition should be refused.

4. Failure to demonstrate that the existing buildings and landscape setting cannot be retained for adaptive re-use.
The existing listed buildings are part of the history of urban development of the Parramatta CBD and it’s setting over more than two centuries. No sound reasons, supported by detailed assessment, have been offered that demonstrate that these buildings cannot be retained, and adapted for new uses.

Approval for demolition of the existing heritage listed buildings should not proceed for all of the reasons above.

Yours sincerely,

Jennie Minifie
for Ryde Community Alliance.

Good morning,
I have lived in Parramatta since 1975 and witnessed the demolition of many old houses and buildings to make way for the development of what is becoming a mini NYC skyline. I am dismayed to hear that the demolition of Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace is being considered a foregone conclusion. I wonder if anyone has been to the proposed site of the Powerhouse when we are experiencing torrential rain and the river bursts it’s banks. The proposed site is on a floodplain. When David Jones was operating, customers were advised to shift their cars immediately as the car park was about to be flooded. Not just a little bit of water, enough to cover any cars that might not make it out to higher ground. It is lunacy to consider this site for the purpose proposed and to sacrifice heritage buildings in the process is unforgivable.

I wish to voice my dissatisfaction with the removal of the heritage buildings in Parramatta.
My 5 times great grand father, Samuel Gilbert, was a baker and the bake house is still standing in George Street, his gravesite is still at St Johns Cemetery. I have lived most of my 77 years at Parramatta and it is so sad to see the demolition of our history, the removal of the old pub was disgraceful.
The new Museum should be on the old Cumberland hospital site, there is plenty of room to display everything and the light rail is right on the doorstep. There was talk that this area was to be redeveloped.
The site on the river is not suitable, I have seen the old David Jones building flooded on many occasions, also the carpark flooded the the rivercats cancelled.

Please show some common sense and do not demolish these buildings, they mean so much to the people of Parramatta, the house could be turned into a tea house or a reception house which Parramatta does not have and become a money earner.

I write to ask for a sensible outcome to the proposed destruction of Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace at Parramatta.


This cannot be allowed to proceed.


In this day and age how can any heritage building/s be proposed to be destroyed?


Clearly there is a perfectly good alternative site in the Cumberland Hospital Precinct where no heritage need be lost.


I hope sense prevails.

I am a sixth generation Parramatta descendant and very proud of the historic precinct and heritage buildings which have been saved. I strongly support the realisation of the Parramatta council vision and preserving Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces. My ancestors are buried in the historic St John's cemetery and we cherish all of the historic buildings still remaining. The Horwood place precinct and retention of Willow Grove and its restoration is vital.

I have fully supported the option for a museum and cultural centre at historic Cumberland hospital/Parramatta gaol precinct following negotiation with the transitional aboriginal descendants

My school friend Lionel Glendenning, the Government Architect who designed the Ultimo Powerhouse Museum, believes that the better location is the Fleet Street Heritage Precinct.
Have you or your Planning Department made any investigation of this site?

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because Australia simply cannot afford to lose any more of its small amount of built heritage.

With so few older buildings being of a sufficient quality to survive until now, where heritage buildings do exist, they lend a disproportionately high degree of character to the area.

Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace are two such buildings; conveying a sense of history and a glimpse into the lives of those who've lived before us, not just for present generations but for the many that will follow us.

The NSW government states in its own report on this development that 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".

A simple three-point plan has been drafted by community groups that would allow these much-loved buildings to live on, while still accommodating plans for a museum:

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