I object to this project. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the “Powerhouse Parramatta" project, currently on display, reveals numerous fatal flaws. Some of these are –
SPACE
- the project is now completely different from what was approved by Cabinet in 2018
- not a single space in either of the two buildings is specifically dedicated to museum exhibitions or the collection.
- the total public “presentation” space has shrunk from an initially stipulated 18,000m2 to 12,000m2 (compared with 21,400m2 in Ultimo), with a massive increase in commercial space. Every so-called presentation space is available for commercial hire, and designed to facilitate events and performances.
-there is only 25% of the climate controlled exhibition space that the Powerhouse has in Ultimo.
- no way has been identified for moving precious large objects into the building(s)
- there is no storage space for (any of) the collection
See Museum Expert Kylie Winkworth analysis http://tiny.cc/c0d6qz for details
COSTS
Project costs have blown out from $200M (2015) to $1.4 billion - $1.8 billion (and rising!) http://tiny.cc/67d6qz
- the building cost alone is now approaching $1 billion
- unbudgeted future project costs include
- creation of storage space at Castle Hill because the “Milk Crates” cannot accommodate the Powerhouse’s unique large objects.
- the Ultimo precinct.
- the Parramatta River bridge.
- the whole collection move.
- marketing, exhibition design/installation, public relations.
- staff acquisition and training.
- conservation and restoration of objects for both move and display purposes.
BAD PLANNING
The proposed structure is NOT a recognisable museum, CAN’T operate as a museum, and it would be impossibly costly if this were attempted because
- the flood amelioration budget has been cut, increasing risks for contents and for visitors.
- almost entire loss of functional office space for staff, of back-of house working space and adequate “vertical transportation” (lifts and escalators) for visitors, staff and materials.
- a single loading dock (down from two) for all commercial and cleaning activities will destroy the high sanitation standards required by museological functions.
The dock must serve two buildings, events for up to 10,000 people, 10 cafes and bars, a retail hall, 40 apartments, a school boarding house, the bump in bump out for concerts, a cinema, conferences and commercial hire, museum objects on hire rotation and international travelling exhibitions, along with food waste, laundry and rubbish...
There is not one parking space, and not even a loading zone.
In summary, this proposal is a sick joke and an insult to both Parramatta and Inner Sydney. It’s NOT A MUSEUM - not even the “museum” initially promised.

I wish to register my objection to the wasteful closure of the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo.

We do not have enough museum space or experiences in Sydney and so I welcome the additional facility at Parramatta.

The industrial heritage of NSW was undoubtedly historically founded in the Darling Harbour/Pyrmont district.

The Science & Technology Museum of Sydney should stay at Ultimo. Over recent years the reconstruction of the Convention & Exhibition Center in Darling Harbour, the light rail, and UTS developments have all contributed to a less than attractive appeal for visiting The PowerHouse Museum. In addition there has been a dearth of attractive and widely marketed special exhibits.

With the Darling Harbour construction completed, the opening of the High Line from central Station, plus the recently announced technology hub at Central Park all help create a renewed marketing opportunity for the Powerhouse Ultimo Museum to be retained.

This opportunity would be enhanced by the link to a Powerhouse Parramatta Museum. This link being not just of Australia's first railway line but Parramatta was our first agricultural site and so it seems to me a wonderful opportunity to create a joint museum experience combining the industrial science and technology museum in Ultimo, with an Agricultural science & technology museum located at Powerhouse Parramatta.

In addition there is a serious lack of an indigenous cultural museum in historic Sydney. This combined Powerhouse - Ultimo & Parramatta, could provide the story of indigenous life before and after colonisation up and down the Parramatta River.

From the Arts aspect the obvious link is of European Sydney with multicultural Parramatta. A good story can be told here as well linking both cities together and allowing for exciting new exhibits at both locations.

Combined packages including either rail or ferry links between the two would create a unique new tourist attraction for the Sydney region.

So my objection is based on the environmental and economic cost of closing Ultimo and moving the historic exhibits to Parramatta and Castle Hill, when compared to creating, at much lower cost and less waste and destruction, a tourist and local marketing opportunity as outlined above, that is:

"Historic Sydney -The Powerhouse Museum Experience - Ultimo & Parramatta"

Please consider this alternative approach to reduce the environmental,economic and social impact of closing Ultimo.

I’m writing to OBJECT to the Powerhouse Parramatta project.

I was born in Parramatta, grew up in the Parramatta Area, and attended Tara Anglican School for Girls, in North Parramatta from Kindergarten to Year 12 (until 1987). At school we were taught about the History of Parramatta as part of our education. I have fond memories of many school excursions on historical walking tours, and historical building visits in and around Parramatta. These were often followed by a lengthy assignment with further research in the Parramatta library. The tours weren’t just about visiting the usual museums open to the public, such as Old Government House, but other buildings of less significance so we could gain a real insight into the past of Parramatta, rich and poor. I remember Willow Grove and the St George’ Terraces specifically on these tours, and the contrast between both. I also remember thinking just how absolutely beautiful Willow Grove was. Cut to later, when in my twenties, and seeing a “For Sale” sign go up in front of Willow Grove, dreaming of buying it and turning it in to a wedding venue.

I’ve moved away from the Parramatta area now but still visit it frequently to see my Mum who still lives in our family home. Our favourite thing to do on an almost weekly basis is visit either Parramatta Park or Elizabeth Farm and have Devonshire tea. Parramatta for me has a real sense of place. Returning to it each week gives me a sense of joy and comfort. It’s hard to describe, but when I see all the historical buildings of Burnside as I drive with my Mum from Home into Parramatta, it makes me feel secure. It has upset me greatly over the years seeing the changes it has gone through, which has included the tearing down of many of these old buildings once visited on my school walking tours. If the same thing was to occur both to Willow Grove and the St Georges Terraces this would be heart breaking for me. For some, these are just old buildings, in the way of progress but for others, like myself, they are places of irreplaceable beauty, that touch the soul.

I would very much like you to consider the significance of the loss of sense of place this would have on me and others who hold similar emotions with old buildings, if you were to demolish Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces. That real indescribable sense of connection would be lost. It’s just so unnecessary when there are other areas within Parramatta more suitable to a Powerhouse Museum Project. Wouldn’t it be ideal if the children of the future also have the same opportunity of a historical walking tour around Parramatta, followed by high tea at Willow Grove.

Thank you for your consideration.

I would like to express my concern at the proposed demolition of the historic building Willowgrove. We have the opportunity to preserve this beautiful building before it’s added to the long list of cultural vandalism at the hands of government and developers.

I urge you to reconsider the demolition of Willowgrove as I hope to walk through Sydney with my future grandchildren and for them to feel a connection to our rich history.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project.
I believe I need to make it known that I have not made any political donations.

My reasons are not many nor too lengthy but simply – Australian History. More importantly Parramatta History.
We have had numerous historical buildings demolished over the years and very soon we will have no heritage whatsoever to pass on to our children and grandchildren.

Yes Parramatta is a very Multi-Cultural area, so maybe the history isn’t as important to our overseas citizens as to those born here right now, but those children that are born here have the right to know Australian history as well as their other parents and Grandparents. I would never deny anyone from keeping their own culture alive. But we need to keep our heritage alive as well.

The observation that ‘the West” need to have a cultural Museum nearby is not withstanding. A simple Ferry ride or train ride into the City is not expensive and allows families to have a great day out.

Please rethink this.

One of the other sites proposed earlier was the Parramatta Golf Course. That site is still vacant and very little demolition would be required.
(Or maybe a new swimming pool will be built there as promised – however that’s a whole different story.)

Thank you for your time.

Kind regards,

Judy Richards

The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences holds one of the world’s best collections. It not only tells the many stories of NSW people, history, innovation, industry and culture, it also tells nationally and internationally significant stories. It set new benchmarks for museums in Australia in the 1870s, 1930s, 1980s and 21st century. There is no doubt that the current Powerhouse Museum is a shadow of its former glory. The last five years of indecision, confusion and imposed interpretations of its mission and collections have taken a huge toll. The Museum has also always been for its people - its visitors, communities, collaborators and stakeholders. It’s is one of the richest repositories of knowledge held in Australia. The fight to protect it shows the deep love and respect held by these people. The focus for the future should be on what is needed for the next generations, not on short term political expediency. Has anyone asked what the people of Parramatta and the communities of western Sydney specifically need? Do they want this permeable, multiuse, display, sort of arts institution? Or would they like an interactive Science Centre for their kids? Sydney does not have one unlike Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Perth. Powerhouse Museum can certainly deliver an amazing new facility for this using some of its collections and expertise in this area. The Powerhouse was the first truly interactive museum in Australia in 1988 - that expertise has not been extinguished. Science and technology are their strengths as shown by their ongoing work at the Observatory and on the main site. The exhibition for the anniversary of the Apollo moon landings were very popular and lauded. Why couldn’t there be a Scienceworks, Exploratorium or Science Museum in London type of museum/centre next to the Parramatta River. I could see families and school children flocking to this type of exciting and educational place. Such a centre could be delivered on a much smaller budget without the issue of flood mitigation, environmental controls or trying to house a 700 tonne locomotive on the first floor. This is just one idea that as far as I know has not been explored or suggested to the western Sydney communities or to the wider Sydney communities. I submit that people want the Powerhouse Museum revitalised on its existing site and maybe something in Parramatta as well - they want to be proud of Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences and they want it all together, not with bits hived off in costume institutes, temporary displays and display storage at Castle Hill. The Museum belongs to everyone and this project is taking it away from everyone. Before any more money is wasted the people of NSW should be asked what they want from their museums and what they need for their kids and grand kids. They should be asked where their museums and collections should be and how they want to access them - on site and online. People love and trust museums because they have the real thing for them to see up close and personal. They want it free and that want it accessible. This project does not deliver to any of these needs or expectations. It needs to stop and be recast now. Perhaps the new Western Australian Museum can show what can be done for half of the proposed budget for this ill defined and obviously not world class project. For this budget the existing Powerhouse Museum could be redeveloped and a satellite Science Centre built at Parramatta and still have money left over. Please lets save the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences.

I OBJECT TO THE POWERHOUSE PARRAMATTA PROJECT AND OUTLINES APPEAR BELOW.


• Social history and the loss of sense of place and character of Parramatta are important as they have not been adequately studied and reported on in the Environmental Impact Statement.

The importance of Willow Grove to women’s history as a maternity hospital for over three decades for people of Parramatta to the early 1950s.

• Overall cumulative impacts of further heritage destruction in Parramatta currently been undertaken, make Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces vital to retain for communities’ sense of place.

• Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces are rare examples of architecture that no longer exist in Parramatta CBD and should be retained.

I object to the project ‘Powerhouse Parramatta’ for a number of reasons:
- This project will mean the destruction of Willow Grove and St Georges terraces. I enjoy discovering Parramatta’s historical buildings and would like my children do be able to do the same. Alas if they are destroyed they will not be replaceable.
- I believe that the Berejiklian government decide to go ahead with ridiculous and un-needed destructions and developments using my taxes. Even after many of these are demonstrated to be bad for the environment, heritage and economy they are pushed on forward. This government does not listen to reason and will not ever change it's collective view. The move of the Powerhouse is one such example. The PowerHouse in Sydney does NOT need moving at all, but if it IS moved it should not be at the cost of such an important historical site. Additionally the cost of the move and maintaining the collection (and moving the changing collections in and out will be an ongoing cost.) I also believe that the current Powerhouse site in Sydney will be sold off as development which will cause a further loss of historical site outside of Parramatta.