Powerhouse Parramatta Development
Submission by Laurie Wilson
It is unusual for a development such as the propose Parramatta Powerhouse to simultaneously obliterate two sites of historical significance, but this development does just that. It is also a bitter irony that the proposed structure is a Museum, which should be devoted to preservation of the past.
The existing Powerhouse Museum preserves significant and spectacular artifacts of our technical, scientific and industrial past in a spectacular setting which is itself a piece of history. It is one of few structures in the Sydney area capable of displaying an original 1855 train in its entirety, or the Catalina aircraft. It stands among the great re-purposing of industrial sites in the world, though in this case there is unique matching of building and purpose. The location adds to the vibrance of a great city, and is especially convenient for visitors to Sydney, being located next to a transport hub in a tourist area.
The proposed structure not only lacks this historical context but does not match the facilities for display of the Powerhouse collection. The design is uninspiring, and the nickname “milk crate” is denigrating but sadly appropriate. The name “Powerhouse” is only a sad reminder of what will have been lost, or, more appropriately, destroyed, if this goes ahead. The design has been too strongly influenced by the need to create income as a function and entertainment centre at the expense of first-rate museum facilities.
The 1870s and 1880s were a “golden age” for Victorian architecture in Sydney, and the potential destruction of magnificent examples of this style, in a beautiful and historic context, is another aspect of the destructive nature of this proposal.
The current Powerhouse Museum is, in fact, several museums in one. it is an industry and transport museum, a museum of design and applied arts and finally a forward-looking science education facility. Most cities around the world have separated these functions in specialised facilities. This is a great opportunity to establish in Western Sydney a purpose-built “Westacon” to encourage our brightest young minds to consider a career contributing to Australian science. As a retired CSIRO scientist, I well setting my career goals well before I entered high school. Establishing a science centre at Parramatta while retaining the Powerhouse’s other functions in Ultimo would be an investment Australia’s future, as well as recalling our past.
(Dr) Laurie Wilson
11 Monserra Road
Allambie Heights NSW 2100
0417045934

1.The project provides for destruction of significant items of heritage value - 'Willow Grove' including the mature trees; and St George's Terrace.
These two items will be lost completely - no salvage of artifacts or interpretative informtion can give back lost heritage. It is shameful that the design could not include the buildings and use them to enhance the completed project.
2. The destruction of the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo is also shameful. Another facility could be built for Parramatta without the total destruction of something so valuable to Australia. To loose the display of wonderful valuable machines such as the Bolton and Watt steam engine and risk its ultimate demise due to damage from deconstruction, transport and storage is also shameful. How can we hold up our heads to the rest of the world when we treat such a treasure this way?
Please - reconsider - before it is too late.

This project is wrong on so many levels both at the Ultimo end and the Parramatta end. I have close personal connections to Parramatta having been born there and attended OLMC Parramatta. Parramatta is the birthplace of Australian colonial history and one of its attractions. To destroy these historical buildings would be a tragedy. There is much marketing opportunity in Parramattas historical past and this project fails to acknowledge that. The design of the new building does not at all fit in to its surroundings and I understand will not accommodate many of the items currently on display in Ultimo. In addition, the site is not close to Parramatta railway station which would exclude many. I very strongly suggest that this project be halted before further damage is done.

I object to the Parramatta project as the proposed site is prone to flooding. There is no planning for the on site storage of undisplayed works. The permanent collection is to be sent to storage facilities in Castle Hill. These works will need to be shipped from storage to facility at great cost to the public and at great risk of damage.

None of this seems well planned, and I can't help but think (as so many others do) that it's to sell off the Ultimo building to develop apartments. This is owned by us, the public, and is not the NSW Government to sell off.

The New Powerhouse is a State Significant project proposed for the foreshore along the Parramatta River and as such, on many levels, it fails to meet recognised and widely acknowledged environmental, cultural, social and economic standards. I list a number of those failures below:
- the site is on a flood plain which seriously compromises the Project's key role as a cultural institution for the exhibition and appreciation of cultural objects.
- the Project presents significant economic impacts on the NSW State Government firstly due to the need to dismantle and store indefinitely, the current extensive and culturally significant collections of the current Powerhouse Museum and secondly, the high cost of planning, developing and managing the New Powerhouse on the Parramatta site.
- this Project has already delivered extreme social anxiety to many residents of NSW and beyond who are seriously concerned at the loss of the highly regarded and valued current Powerhouse Museum and the limited cultural venue that is proposed to 'replace' it in Parramatta. The social impacts of this Project are multiplying as opposition grows from residents across NSW and including those of Western Sydney who it is claimed will benefit from the New Powerhouse. The intransigence demonstrated by the NSW Government in the face of long standing, growing and extensive opposition to the Project impacts on community well being, confidence in government and social cohesion.
- this Project has unique and significant negative cultural impacts. This is highly unusual in the planning of a new cultural facility, major capital works project and demonstrates a total lack of capacity and commitment to valuing and respecting the role of arts and culture in building community identity and sense of place. The New Powerhouse requires the removal of the world renowned, valued and accessible Powerhouse Museum in Central Sydney, it requires the removal of two heritage items - Willow Grove and St George's Terrace, it reduces the exhibition and storage capacity of the new facility to such an extent that the majority of items from the current Powerhouse will be placed in storage, it demonstrates a failure to keep abreast of and respond to contemporary museum management models such as distributed networks of venues across cities, across regions and across states. Further this New Powerhouse claims it is responding to the needs of the communities in Sydney's West but the cultural impact and benefits of the new facility are compromised at the outset by a lack of imagination and a failure to consider the cultural programming opportunities of co locating and integrating the heritage and stories of Western Sydney with relevant objects from the current Powerhouse as well as the collections of other State cultural institutions (State Library of NSW, Sydney Living Museums, Art Gallery of NSW).
In summary, this Project presents extensive negative impacts - it is ill conceived, is a waste of taxpayers money and it is a missed opportunity to develop an accessible cultural museum venue in Sydney's West that compliments the current Powerhouse Museum in central Sydney and that delivers a contemporary and sustainable model for the future.

I strongly object to the relocation of the Power House Museum to Parramatta and the demolition of heritage buildings in order for it to be built. I refer to the National Trust survey and recommendations https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/news/media-release-powerhouse-museum-the-community-speaks/

It is unconscionable to demolish heritage buildings in Parramatta, to close and demolish an excellent museum and heritage building in the heart of Sydney, and to risk the destruction of unique exhibits.

I strongly object to the Paramatta Project. Powerhouse is in a perfect location, attended by thousands. Why spend public money on something that would only benefit hidden parties. Leave it where it is.

I object to the construction, at the present nominated Parramatta site, of a replacement for the Powerhouse Museum
I believe that construction would require demolition of heritage important buildings that should be preseved
I believe that the site is not conveniently located
I believe that the site risks displayed items being damaged in the event of flooding of the adjacent river
I believe that a site at Camellia would be more suitable
I believe that the existing Powerhouse Museum should remain operating in its present Ultimo location
I believe that any new museum should be in addition to the Powerhouse rather than a substitute

I object to the destruction of Willow Grove & the St George's Terraces in Parramatta due to the development of a new Powerhouse Museum in Parramatta. What right does the NSW Government have to ignore the people who object to this wonton proposed destruction of our heritage & replace it with an obscene "white elephant" of a building which has nothing to recommend it architecturally & which will be dated & dirty in the years to come. There was no onus on the architects who entered the competition to design a building which incorporated these two beautiful heritage buildings -it should have been contingent on submission of a design for the new Powerhouse. I have no problem with a new museum for the people of Parramatta -one that serves their needs & history such as a Migration or an Indigenous Museum. Leave the current building in Ultimo as testimony to all the wonders of Industrial design & technology. Don't take the name" Powerhouse" & pretend that it will ever be the same with a fraction of the exhibits & sell off our heritage to the developers for short term gain.

The relocation of the Powerhouse Museum to Parramatta is completely unnecessary. The current Powerhouse Museum is perfectly built and houses a good selection of historical exhibits. It is supported by excellent access to parking and public transport and is in a heritage building which is in sound condition. The demolition of Willow Grove and St George's Terrace, two heritage listed buildings to make way for this relocation, is a disgrace to the preservation of our State history and heritage. I thought the Powerhouse Museum promoted preservation of history by its very nature. This expenditure is a waste of money, especially in this terrible economic climate.

The proposed site at Parramatta is also flood prone as the Parramatta River rises in excessive rains. Parking is almost non existent and it is a good walk from the station. If this demolition and construction proceeds it will more than likely be the death knell for the Berejiklian Government. This coupled with the destruction of the Royal Oak Hotel and the
construction of the light rail route destroying businesses during the construction process is another blight on this State Government.