As the former Historian of Telstra (the once owner of Willow Grove) and the descendant of two first Fleeters I am well aware of the destruction of Sydney and Parramatta's heritage in the name of progress by developers . There is virtually nothing left apart from street names of Parramatta, a city that is responsible for the survival of NSW. The state of NSW has many storage sites full of historic curiosities , many of which will never be seen by the public. In the fresh air and sunlight there however are several old buildings that give NSW residents and visitors a small insight into how it once looked. Curiosities do not do this on any level. Willow Grove for example has a history, having been part of the social fabric for nearly 150 years. The residence of Josephine Gallagher, a drapery store proprietor, and her Parramatta Council alderman. Later it was a maternity hospital. Before its construction it even had links to bush rangers. The other building targeted for demolition is a terrace that I am sure equally has great value to present and future Australians. When we travel overseas we are drawn to old world infrastructure. Why should Parramatta be any different? The Power House Museum should not be located on this flood plain. Why not elsewhere ie Campbelltown or near the Penrith Fire Musem. A grand building's garden where original roses grow , birds sing and the sunlight dapples through beautiful trees is more important to our society than glass , and cold bland architecture. I would like to believe that Australians in general and the NSW Government leaders are not the Philistines that some in the media are portraying them to be. Kind regards, Christopher Wood.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project in the strongest possible terms. I am writing as a citizen of New South Wales, a long-time former resident of Parramatta and a museum and heritage conservation professional with postgraduate qualifications in museum studies. I started my museum career at the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences and I feel very strongly about the need for its ongoing funding and for the maintenance of its proud history of curatorship, research, materials conservation and excellence in display and public programs. I am not a member of any political party and am not writing on behalf of any association but as a private individual concerned for the conservation of Parramatta’s historic heritage.
While I applaud the NSW Government’s very sensible but long-overdue back-flip on the decision to close the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo, I deplore the decision to still proceed with the demolition of ‘Willow Grove’ and ‘St George Terrace’ and to construct a new building which was never fit for purpose and is even less fit for purpose now. When the Chairman of the Trustees of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences and the Director of the Powerhouse Museum were interviewed recently on ABC Radio Sydney, they were hard put to articulate just what the proposed museum at Parramatta would be, other than saying it would be state-of-the-art and would showcase cutting-edge science and technology. Now that the Powerhouse, and presumably many of its iconic large objects, are to stay at Ultimo, it is obvious that there is no clear vision of just what the Parramatta building will be and what it will house. To proceed with the current design would be ill-judged and morally irresponsible in the current economic climate when there are so many other deserving projects.
Many supporters of the Powerhouse Parramatta project, including a slim majority of Parramatta City Council councillors seem to label all objectors as people not wanting Parramatta and the Western Suburbs to have a world-class museum. In my experience, nothing could be further from the truth. Everyone I have spoken to agrees that Parramatta deserves a world-class museum, but preferably one that showcases its rich environmental past, its Aboriginal cultural heritage and its modern history from first European settlement in 1788 to the multicultural metropolis it is today. And not at the expense of two fine local heritage items which help to tell the story of Parramatta’s evolution from the alternative seat of colonial government to thriving town and Sydney’s second CBD. Parramatta can ill afford to lose two more of its historic buildings for the sake of an ill-conceived museum relocation plan. Now that the main Powerhouse Museum facility is staying in Ultimo and a large part of the collection is housed at the Museums Discovery Centre at Castle Hill, the misnamed Powerhouse Parramatta can be seen for what it really is – a multi-purpose, exhibits and events centre – not a museum! Parramatta still has other significant historic buildings, particularly in the Parramatta North Historic Sites, which could be sympathetically adapted for new uses including museum uses, with sympathetic new infill development to support them.
Parramatta City Council seems to be worried that if they don’t support the current project, they will lose the Government’s arts and culture investment funding at a time of economic downturn and uncertain future. I can see no feasible reason why the Government couldn’t reallocate those funds to more rational and well-considered arts and cultural developments elsewhere in Parramatta rather than on the flood-prone chosen site on the bank of the Parramatta River. There still seems to be considerable concern about the flood risk of that site and building a new building raised on a plinth or with an undercroft to reduce the risk, only increases the cost of the development. I was born in ‘Willow Grove’ and grew up in Parramatta – I know how that site floods and how recently the former David Jones carpark has been flooded and the Parramatta ferry wharf put out of action. I can remember David Jones having flood sales when its basement stock were damaged by flooding. Even the new 3PS tower in Macquarie Street, three blocks south of the river has an automatic flood barrier to protect its underground carpark.
The NSW Government bowed to well-informed community opinion and public pressure and did a back-flip on closing the Ultimo site. They now need to do a back-flip on building Powerhouse Parramatta on the ‘Willow Grove’ site. If they don’t, they should change the slogan adorning NSW Government projects in Sydney to “We’re building tomorrow’s Sydney – and destroying its past!”
Chris Betteridge BSc (Sydney), MSc (Museum Studies) (Leicester), AMA (London), M.ICOMOS

I am writing to oppose the proposed siting of the Powerhouse museum intended for Parramatta. Not only is the site unsuitable for the placement of this building for environmental reasons but it will require the destruction of rare heritage. The Willow Grove Villa and St George's Terraces are vital elements of the social history of Parramatta and are required to maintain a sense of place and the memory and historic context of this core area. Parramatta deserves its own Powerhouse museum but not at the expense of destroying important heritage. Our suburbs are under pressure and changing rapidly in spite of community preference, both locally and across Sydney, for retaining and respecting our past and our built heritage. Please ensure these valued heritage buildings are protected into the future and an alternative site is found for the museum.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project.
My first job was at Parramatta in the mid 80's. I didn't grow up in that area but I soon learnt & saw what a significant part Parramatta played in the history of Sydney. I was surprised at the number of beautiful old building that depicted a certain time in history. It would be a crime to demolish or even alter in anyway, the the places in Parramatta that portray to the public that part of our history. We are losing far too much of our wonderful past, I sincerely hope that you retain what little historical buildings that are left, not only for their beautiful appearance, but for the stories they tell. I hope my grandchildren will be able to hear the stories & see the wonderful old buildings of Parramatta. To look at a photo doesn't have the impact that actually viewing a property or structure has.

I object to the project - as it currently stands. Being a long term resident in the vicinity of Parrmatta, I am very pleased for the proposal to build a significant cultural edifice here. I am also particularly pleased to read of the intention to focus on our Indigenous history, arts, crafts and sciences. Most importantly, and the reason for my objection, is the threatened demolition of two important local heritage sites – Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace. I stand with City of Parramatta Council’s continued advocacy for retention of these buildings for the benefit of future generations.
I believe it will be possible for the architects to achieve this if they put their minds to a design which melds the old with the new.
Thanks for the opportunity to make a comment on this EIS. We are looking forward to the new affiliated Powerhouse Museum in Sydney’s geographical centre!

I am very glad that the original Powerhouse in Ultimo will no longer be demolished. I strongly believe that this new building in Parramatta could never replace the original (after all the Powerhouse was named for a reason) and think that if a new museum must be built, it should embrace its unique local community and culture. I feel that this new proposed museum should take into account the history of the local area and incorporate the Darug Indigenous history, including workshops for local schools and community - how fortunate that the proposed site lies on the river to which the city was named e.g Parramatta- 'Place where the eels lay down'. I also feel that Willow Grove is a superb monument to the area’s history and should be incorporated into the Museum. It could be used like other museums in the Rocks area and incorporate colonial Australian history. Schools and the community could visit the old building as it would have appeared in colonial times and immerse themselves in the history of the area locally, rather than travelling into the city. The historic building would juxtapose well with the modern architecture and allow the city of Parramatta to showcase and embrace its origins as it moves to become the second CBD of Greater Sydney. The proposed design doesn't cater to Parramatta's multifaceted and intricate history at the moment and the design that must adapt and embrace the history of the area as the the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo once did.

I grew up and worked in Parramatta so have a place in my heart for the old historical gem.
I feel the government is missing an opportunity to really create an interesting historical and teaching space
the old houses willow glen and the terraces should be saved for future generations not torn down to produce a entertainment space that unless you can walk on water you will not be able to view.
I notice the premier did walk along the narrow parkland that is by the creek but she must have missed the hundreds of flats built right in the front of this space which will be inundated with noise!!
The carpark is the better choice for that site. Better for the businesses on Church Street(eat street) and less impacted by the floods. I have experienced many along the river.
The museum should have a prominent position and the old parramatta psychiatric hospital is an ideal space many buildings are already there
why not use the old Parramatta Gaol. Jails all over the world are fantastic places for museums. the hospital site is next to the amazing Parramatta Park and can accommodate many concerts.
Give Parramatta its own identity. It has heaps to offer open it up to the people and let them OWN it, then it will truly be a world museum and much loved!!!
Also rebuild the swimming pool

Please see attached document

I strongly object to this project. In it's current proposal this new museum is not suitable as it provides a museum not fit for purpose & allows the destruction of 2 very important historic buildings in Willow Grove & St.Georges Terrace.
I object to 2 historic buildings being torn down to build a place to ostensibly display historic artefacts. I would rather have the buildings remain in place being used as examples of the types of architecture that existed as typical for their period. I want my great grandchildren to be able to see and visit these buildings and appreciate the history of both the buildings & early Parramatta.
As residents of western Sydney, we have suffered the destruction at the hands of this Government of the historic hotel, The Royal Oak. This precious piece of not only Parramatta's heritage but of Australia's heritage was torn down over the very loud objections of the residents, voters & taxpayers of western Sydney. It seemed only the NSW government wanted to tear down that historic hotel to build a light rail system which could have been slightly relocated to avoid the loss of this historic pub.
The cost of this new museum is mooted to be in the region of 1 billion dollars. Surely with the NSW Treasury looking for any money it can find to fund the ongoing support of the state during this Covid 19 Pandemic the spending of this much money on an architects whimsey is ludicrous. The building will not be a true museum rather an exhibition space featuring "many" cafes & restaurants and providing space for "street festivals" & "eat festivals" which will make it a psuedo museum at best. The exhibition of historic articles and relics will no doubt be compromised because of this.
There is a perfect opportunity to enlarge & enhance the existing Powerhouse Discovery Centre at Castle Hill as a major museum for western Sydney. At a lot less money than a new useless edifice in Parramatta that will flood, destroy history & provide very little as a museum for the VOTERS, TAXPAYERS & residents of western Sydney.
In closing I very strongly object to the new Powerhouse Museum at Parramatta