I object to the Powerhouse Museum being moved to Parramatta under its current plan.

My main reason for objecting is:

I believe Willow Grove should be preserved.

This is an important place, because it was a maternity hospital, and therefore has a greater significance than other historical buildings of this era. There are living Australians who can trace their ancestry to this building, and it is a physical location that they can go and visit to get a sense of their past. But also, a maternity ward reflects the nursing history of Australia, and women's working history, which is just as important. On top of that, it is a beautiful building that should be made available to the public.

There is an even older historical parallel with Willow Grove in Parramatta - as there was also a birthing area for Aboriginal women, near the Parramatta gaol by the river; and in a way, these two sites could easily be linked as part of a tour.

I understand why the State Government wants to move the Powerhouse to Parramatta, because they are acknowledging the large number of young families in the area who would benefit from a museum like what has been proposed.

But I actually feel that they should be keeping the Powerhouse where it is – and instead, looking at creating something that is specifically linked to the history of Parramatta. A museum that is dedicated to social history, and all the threads that make up modern Australia.

The reason I say this, is that Parramatta as a whole, is not only the geographical centre of Sydney (a fact that was recognized in newspapers back in the 1850s) – but so many 'firsts' also happened in Parramatta connected with modern Australia history. For instance, it is the site of the first 'settler' market place (near the Town Hall) and also the first farm in the domain of Parramatta Park, the train to Parramatta was the first state-owned railway in the British Empire, and St. Patricks is Australia's first Catholic cemetery.

Also, more people lived in Parramatta (1, 970) in the first four years of settlement, than in Sydney city (1,170) itself. There are heritage buildings all over North Parramatta that are testament to this, as well as the Female Factory in Fleet Street, which in all honesty, should be receiving World Heritage listing, as the condition of it, compared to other former colonial factories around Australia, is nearly pristine.

The Aboriginal history is also very significant. Spear heads and flints that have been found in Parramatta Park dating back 4000 years. And in the CBD, fire cinders have been found that date even further back to 30 000 years. And these are only what has been discovered so far; who knows what will be unearthed in the future!

Also, Parramatta is significant for multicultural Australia, including very recent history. If you look at Harris Park, it reflects the Indian migrants who came as students in the 1990s, renting flats in the area because of their affordability. But in a span of 30 years, they have transformed Harris Park into a vibrant area, that is well loved and much acknowledged by the rest of Sydney.

My feeling is that some kind of museum needs to be carefully considered, that incorporates all of these wonderful threads that make Parramatta a special place – not only to NSW history, but the wider Australian history. And I think this can be achieved without having to destroy elements of Parramatta's heritage, like Willow Grove, and also St. Georges Terrace, as has been proposed in the design of the relocated Powerhouse.

I feel that the State Government has not properly consulted with the local community in planning this. There are a number of groups in Parramatta, who care about the history of the area, that the State Government could have easily worked with – as well as community groups too, to create something that would reflect the character of the area, in a way that could also be appealing to tourists, school student tours, and families that might visit the area.

So these are the main reasons why I object to the Powerhouse Museum being moved to Parramatta.

Thanks for reading this,
Iain Wilson.

I STRONGLY object to the destruction of Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace. Please see my attached submission

The new museum should reflect the historical fact that Parramatta was the first settlement after Sydney Cove, and is now an important major centre in its own right. Consequently, it is considered that the following factors should be incorporated in its establishment:
. it should not be the result of a heavily compromised plan. Plans prepared to date are considered grossly inadequate, and should be laid aside. Farcically, they call for destruction of two significant Parramatta heritage listed buildings to make way for an unattractive mixed-purpose modern building. The plans do not inspire confidence in the Government nor the project manager;
. the presently chosen site is totally inadequate, and should no longer be considered, as there is ample suitable alternative space in the Parramatta area;.
. the significance of the project is such that it warrants a fresh start, particularly now that the Ultimo Powerhouse Museum will not be closed;
. the new museum should have an appropriate name. ‘Powerhouse Parramatta’ does not qualify in this respect;
. it should be located on a site that:
.. is not cramped for room;
.. is not flood prone;
.. does not require destruction of listed heritage buildings;
. . can adequately accommodate a distinctive stand-alone structure purpose built for a heritage museum;
.. does not incorporate unrelated residential or commercial accommodation;
. . has adequate space for dedicated, safe, off-street parking;
.. is surrounded by landscaped garden and trees;

I write to register in the strongest terms my objection to the proposed relocation of the Powerhouse Museum to Parramatta.
The Powerhouse at Ultimo is a world-class Science and Technology museum, and no justification has been given for moving it from its current central location to Western Sydney. The destruction of the Ultimo museum and the historical building that houses it is wanton vandalism, with no discernible benefit to the citizens of NSW, other than property developers.
The permanent exhibitions at the Ultimo site must be retained at this site. To suggest a “fashion museum” as a replacement demonstrates again the lack of recognition of the cultural importance of the current museum.
Furthermore, the move also entails the destruction of several important historical buildings in Parramatta (Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace). Again there is no logical reason for this when many alternative sites are available.
Both aspects of this proposal demonstrate a disappointing lack of cultural awareness on the part of decision-makers, who appear to have no interest in the Museum and its future beyond short-term monetary gain.
I reiterate: I object to this proposal.
Yours sincerely

Peter R Gunn

30 Derby Road Hornsby NSW
21 July 2020

I am vehemently opposed to the demolition of the Heritage Listed Houses willow Grove and St Georges Terrace in Parramatta. We have to keep heritage structures like this in our community to see where we have come from . As a society we need to feel this connection.

I completely support the views of the North Parramatta Residents Action Group and believe the our precious history should be preserved, not destroyed. Where alternative options are being presented in order to protect our heritage and find common ground, it would be more than just a shame to ignore them.

It is very clear how much the preservation of the original Powerhouse meant to many people. I am asking for the rational consideration of an alternative site (for what was intended as a replacement), the preservation of our historic (and beautiful) buildings, and the preservation of public space in the city.

The recent flooding of the river bank also shows the foolhardiness of the plan.

I object to the project in its current guise. I believe that the Terraces and the Villa should not be demolished. Both Council and the Heritage Council of NSW point out the heritage significance and show that this development needs to respect this. As a long time resident I am appalled by the design and how it pays no regard to the values of these buildings in the significance to the City and this precinct. It shows a complete disregard for the local community and the consistent requests to keep these buildings and to develop a facility around them that enhances the sense of place and community. It is ironic that a Museum that is created and curated to preserve the values and achievements of the community and culture, and yet in the act of creating a place for this destroys a significant and never applicable place and precinct. Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace are one of a kind in the Parramatta CBD and their lose would have a significant impact on the community's connection with heritage. I believe that either another site or a smaller version that also incorporates Council's vision for a public square by the river with high profile links back to Parramatta Square.

I object to the Parramatta Powerhouse Project. Parramatta deserves a cultural institution that they both want and deserve which also protects heritage.
The definition of a museum is a building in which objects of historical, scientific, artistic, or cultural interest are stored and exhibited.
These heritage buildings in Parramatta are in themselves historical and cultural artefacts. They are veritable museums in their own right and tell a story about Australia and about Parramatta itself. It does not make sense to destroy a historical and cultural building to make way for another building to store cultural and historical artefacts.
It puts me in mind of Joni Mitchell's Big Yellow Taxi song where we pave everything and put trees in a tree museum, it does not make sense and it is still not what the people want. The case for the wanton destruction of heritage is not clear.
Why can't we can’t have heritage and development and investment in arts and culture in Parramatta?
But at the same time we should not demolish St George’s Terrace, built in 1881, and Willow Grove, built circa 1886 to be demolished to make way for the new Powerhouse Museum.
It does not make sense.

The development of a new Powerhouse Museum at Parramatta must not proceed if it involves the demolition of, or any adverse impact on, either Willow Grove or St George's Terrace. Parramatta is rapidly losing its connections to the colonial era. Willow Grove and St George's Terrace are particularly important as they are set in the very heart of Parramatta's CBD. They provide a magnificent contrast between 19th century architecture and the high rise buildings of the 21st century. If the creation of a Powerhouse Museum requires the demolition of either Willow Grove or St George's Terrace, then the development of the new Powerhouse Museum must be abandoned. We can not adopt a policy of destroying history to exhibit history.