My strong objection to the proposed development is based primarily on the required destruction of Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace in Phillip Street . These buildings are highly significant to Parramatta and must be retained. They are the last remaining Victorian Italianate free standing villa and Victorian Terraces in the Parramatta CBD. True treasures!
As a child I was always fascinated by Willow Grove - the beauty of the building and the glorious garden setting set against the bustling 20 th century city landscape was always refreshing. This contrast has only increased as the development of Parramatta increased.
Willow Grove also holds a special place in the hearts of many of my friends who's family members were born there when it operated as a maternity hospital up until the 1950's.
I found it quite upsetting that the heritage impact statement stated that removal of Willow Grove and St George's Terrace will only have minor cumulative impact. This is quite incorrect as these are the last remaining buildings of their type in the CBD and vital to retain for communities' sense of place. We as a community have distressingly lost too many heritage sites in the city.
No plaques or "interpretive" inclusions can substitute for the destruction of these important buildings.
There does not appear to have been any attempt to try and integrate the heritage buildings into the design. In fact the design also appears to negate the plan by City of Parramatta to eventually create a Civic Link to the river as the new building effectively blocks open access and funnels pedestrians into a narrow tunnel .
Although I am happy to see investment by the Government into a museum in Parramatta I am disappointed that the current proposal is unsuitable for the site and does not respect the heritage of the city or the significance of the location.

Willow Grove can be a building that could be contrasted with what is built today. People will say 'wow' look how far our building prowess has progressed in just 100yrs... If Willow Grove or any remaining heritage buildings in Parramatta or anywhere in Australia really are knocked down people will not realise the enormity of our modern progress!! Just looking at pictures in books is not any experience. The old sandstone law courts in the St James precinct is a good example. Walking in the passages of these old buildings you get a sense of how small our ancestors were. The passage ways are narrow and the ceilings low, quite closed in and claustrophobic. You get a real sense of history, our history, and then look at the modern law courts on the next block all glass and steel and huge. You can actually feel the history and wonder at our past and future. Compare and contrast reality... Please leave our wonderful old buildings be or at the very least incorporate them into the wonders of future builds.

I am very supportive of Parramatta having a branch of the MAAS. I also support the chosen site and the scheme selected from the competition entries. I do not support the closure and downsizing of the Ultimo MAAS. That museum should be retained, and upgraded also so that MAAS has a presence in Eastern and Western Sydney.
In terms of the proposal at Parramatta - I admire the proposed museum's civic presence and ambition. If the Ultimo MAAS is really to be closed - the designers of the Parramatta MAAS should demonstrate how they are going to showcase the permanent collection. Although elegant, the current scheme does appear to be configured to prioritise transitory events and exhibitions, and does not give confidence that the MAAS collection will be the central focus of the building. It risks being a minor element in a bigger cultural facility. Although I have no objection to companion spaces and uses - the presence, exhibition and space for the MAAS collection, should be primary.
There is also an opportunity for the landscaped areas under the building, along the riverfront, to more openly celebrate and respond to the prospect of periodic infiltration of the site by flood. Many sites along the riverbank are flood affected - I have no concerns about this being able to be addressed technically, but think there is greater opportunity to develop a more substantial lyrical, and physical acknowledgement of that dynamic condition.
The building has a very strong presence in Parramatta. I am of the view that this is highly positive. As someone who grew up in Western Sydney, and whose family still lives in the region, it is long overdue that it has access to a leading cultural institution of national importance. However - this scale and sense of ambition come with risks, if not realised well. The design resolution, detailed documentation and construction of the building are critical to ensuring that its ambition is reflected in the reality of its outcome. I urge you to give the Design Jury (particularly architect Wendy Lewin) an active review and sign-off role during all future stages of the building's documentation and construction on site. Corners must not be cut. The jury's continuing oversight would give much-needed support to the architects and designers of the building to develop and deliver their proposal to the highest level possible. Nothing less will do.

I object to the proposal to move the ultimo powerhouse museum to make space available for more units. The last thing that ultimo needs is more units. The CBD is losing the cinemas for more units. If the powerhouse is gone there is even less reason to live in Ultimo or nearby.
I completely agree with having an additional powerhouse museum. Sydney just needs to utilise the housing that is available already but being hoarded to artificially inflate prices and rent.
Units and property development should not be the priority. Culture and social venues for people to utilise should be the priority

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.