RE: SSD-10416
OBJECTION TO POWERHOUSE PARRAMATTA PLANS INCLUDING THE DESTRUCTION OF WILLOW GROVE AND ST GEORGES TERRACES.

I object to the Parramatta Powerhouse plans.

I have not made any reportable political donations.

The site of the proposal contains the significant 1870s two storey Victorian Italianate villa, Willow Grove and potential archaeological site, and the 1880s row of two storey terraces, St George’s Terrace and potential archaeological site (both items of local environmental heritage).

These important heritage buildings are precious and unique in that location.

It is a tragic irony to be proposing the demolition of such architecturally and historically significant buildings for the sake of a museum of applied arts and sciences.

These buildings must be saved.

The proposed new Powerhouse Museum should not be approved for this location at all. It should stay where it was always intended to be, in Ultimo.

This project does not have a social licence to proceed. It lacks public support and confidence. The heritage losses associated with the project are unacceptable, and will not be mitigated by heritage interpretation. It is ironic that such significant heritage destruction is planned for a project that is supposed to celebrate history. The obvious and favoured alternatives, such as creating a unique and new historical precinct around the old women's factory, and keeping the Powerhouse at Ultimo, has not be given due consideration. The plans for the new "museum" on the flood -prone banks of the Parramatta River offers a crass, corporate-orientated concept where"events" take precedence over the display of artifacts. As usual, this is a major project that wears the NSW Government stench of lack of consultation, disregard for history and heritage, and contempt for communities and independent experts.

I object to the moving of the Powerhouse Museum from Ultimo to Parramatta due to the following reasons;
1. We are in a recession due to the corona virus, the billions of dollars to be selfishly wasted would be better spent on bush fire and drought relief , casualties from corona virus, hospitals, relief for small businesses, education etc.
2. Leave the Powerhouse and the collection where it is, create a smaller multicultural museum at Parramatta, keep the collection and protect it at Castle Hill.
3.Demolition of the row of terraces and the old hospital in Phillip St is a disgrace as they are heritage listed.

I am writing to you today in absolute disgust, a countries heritage should mean everything, it's identity, its roots, it's history, it's story, it's what draws people to live in that area, it's what draws tourist, vititors to visit an area, a city, a country.

When I go to Europe I visit the old towns, the old part of cities which co exist inside the new parts of cities and towns. In many parts of the world, in Dublin, Ireland in particular the city planners and developers have embraced the old buildings and redeveloped the insides or kept the facade of the building and built behind it, but not in Sydney under a LNP state government, does the current premier really want to go down in history for been the Liberal Premier known as 'Bulldozer Gladys' because that is the case, so please as the city planner reconsider the decision to demolish this beautiful building.

The people of Willoughby in the premier's seat, I wonder how they would feel and vote if the government were to knock down the 1892 Long Gully Bridge, I'm sure they would not be happy and would vote accordingly.

Please ask yourself is this the right time with this pandemic and restrictions to move the powerhouse museum from a position and building which has served it very well for so many years and is enjoyed by many people from overseas when in the heart of the city and by regional visitors to the city like myself and is it really the time to create more unemployment.

If it is the intention of the nsw government to give parramatta a new museum do so but not at the expense of our heritage.

Thank you

I am writing to state my objection to the following plans.
The destruction of Willow Grove and St George's Terrace at Parramatta

These buildings are of significant importance to our heritage and should receive the full protection of heritage listing and not be destroyed.
I object to the destruction of these buildings to make way for a new museum and believe strongly that the conservation of these buildings and incorporating them in to future plans for that area of Parramatta would be an option that would be far better received by the public.

I am not affiliated with any political party or lobby group.
I am just a concerned citizen who is not satisfied that the government are making a decision that is in the best interests of the community.

The move of the Powerhouse Museum from Ultimo to Parramatta is unnecessary, unjust, and just plain wrong. By all means, give Parramatta a new museum but NOT at the expense of the iconic Powerhouse Museum. The Powerhouse Museum is a Sydney Icon and it should not be taken from the people of NSW who want it to stay where it is. This is yet another blatant destruction of Sydney's and Australia's history and heritage. The banks of the Parramatta River flood. Regularly. How is housing a priceless collection of artefacts in a known flood zone beneficial to the people of NSW? People who do not want the Powerhouse to move.
I implore you. Listen to the people who you are supposed to be representing. The people of NSW, including those in Parramatta, do NOT want the Powerhouse Museum to move so the historic site can be redeveloped. Stop taking heritage away from the people. Stop taking our history. As I said, by all means open a powerhouse museum at Parramatta, but NOT at the expense of the original Ultimo site. Do not take away another Sydney Icon. Do not take something that makes Sydney so special and unique.

I OBJECT TO THE POWERHOUSE MOVING TO PARRAMATTA AND THE DESTRUCTION OF WILLOW GROVE AND THE ST GEORGE TERRACES.
This is the submission from
Mrs Mary Richard

Maroubra 2035.

I appreciate and value the little bit of History in Australia which is still remaining and I strongly believe that too much has already been demolished, destroyed or ruined. Our Historical buildings and areas need to be protected for us and future generations.

We cannot afford to destroy the wonderful ‘one of a kind’ Willow Grove plus the St Georges Terraces (and both of their potential archaeological sites) as they are rare examples of architecture that will no longer exist in Parramatta’s CBD when they are demolished.

We have so few places with such high Heritage value left in this State and their worth both in places to visit and understand how Parramatta & indeed how Sydney began is too important to destroy for us and future generations.

I believe that the importance of these buildings in Historical terms can never be duplicated and therefore they must be preserved and cared for as their loss will be a irreversible loss of conservation values that constitute the heritage significance for Parramatta’s CBD.

The Wonderful heritage gardens containing some 55 substantial trees around these buildings will be a unacceptable loss for the Community and wildlife alike if this relocation proceeds. The mature trees provide a picturesque garden setting of a substantial size and are in good condition, thereby detrimentally impacting the cultural significance of the area if they are removed.


The sad recent loss of the Heritage Royal Oaks Hotel and other buildings due to the unwanted Light Rail (a total failure in the CBD SE line) will see another 2000 trees removed from the Cumberland Estate and along the route. This is unacceptable to me and a large portion of Australians.

I cannot understand how the State Government can ignore our important History and the Communities objections with a recent petition signed by 14,000 people wishing to protect Willow Grove and the St Georges Terraces; along with Historic House Association and National Trust of Australia (NSW). All have condemned the Governments decision to continue on this path of destruction.

My enquiries have shown me that there has been a lack of any consultation that was genuine and meaningful with the Community regarding what cultural precinct and museum they wanted or needed.
How can the Government intend to spend $1.5 billion to move a museum, when half of these costs are going into relocation of exhibits, storage for years while Parramatta is being built and flood mitigation of the unsuitable site?

Plans on a massive scale which will see the western building being 17 storeys and the eastern building 14 storeys). A monstrosity that will dominate the streetscape and will be out of character with the surrounding area.

I want to keep the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo a location that I, my children and grandchildren have visited over the years and learnt and experienced new and exciting things that have left us with special memories.

A smaller museum in Parramatta will never have the same impact and experience as the varied and wonderful exhibitions displayed at the Powerhouse in Ultimo. It has delighted and opened the hearts and minds of my family and friends for the last 50 years or so.

Keep it where it is and how it is and Save Willow Grove and the St George Terraces at the same time.

A Win for good planning and just the way that the Community have said (loud and clear) that they want to see this proposal, CANCELLED and the beauty, heritage and culture to remain as it stands today.

Mrs Mary Richard

Maroubra 2035

This will ultimately lead to selling the historic site to developers for high-rise apartments. Not to mention loss of heritage-listed Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace. Back-flip to come for sure from the Premier as soon as the current site is closed. What an incredible waste of our history! All for what? Another Meriton sign?

I find that the proposed destruction of and the breaking up of the MAAS collection as one of the greatest government sanctioned vandalism of Heritage items held in trust for the people of NSW. To use the word "Development" implies a positive change, but this is noting more than heresy. How this government could possibly consider that there is any voter support for this shows that there is no understanding nor interest in public opinion.

The current rampage on Australian Heritage is despicable and verges on cleansing all traces from what was once a beautiful city.

To sell off the Ultimo site shows again that the money is far more important to this small g government that the livability of our city.

As a current member of the MAAS, I would also like to know how you will reimburse my family and how do you suggest that I continue the education of my young daughter in the sciences with the Powerhouse closed?

This project just proves that Sydney is no longer in the hands of the residents and is a place to move away from.

I'm absolutely disgusted.

I strongly object to this project going ahead. The Powerhouse should remain at Ultimo. It contains valuable and important items that will not be able to be displayed at the proposed Parramatta site. This move does not serve the commumity and its best interests. Indeed, it will cost billions. For what?? An inferior museum!! This is madness! And Willow Grove historic home would have to be destroyed in the process. STOP DESTROYING OUR HERITAGE!! ONCE IT'S GONE, WE CAN NEVER GET IT BACK!! For what?? Apartments at the Ultimo site?? That is not in the best interests of the community! STOP THIS GREED!! I strongly oppose this move. The Powerhouse Museum is an important historic, educational and touristic facility that should remain at Ultimo. It contains incredible scientific and historic displays that deserve to be appreciated. Retain the Powerhouse at Ultimo and value this nation's heritage!!