I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because it means moving an existing museum at the cost of heritage buildings in Parramatta. Parramatta has unique heritage that must be preserved at all costs. Find another location in Parramatta if you must but SAVE WILLOW GROVE.

It is disappointing that mounting opposition to the ridiculous “Milk Crate on Stilts” structure proposed for Parramatta, and laughably labelled a “museum”, has prompted (so far)140 furious comments on the MAAS Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/21145917717/posts/10158763449437718/?d=n 
Is still proceeding considering the popularity of the Powerhouse mUseum in Ultimo and the preference of the generald community for it to stay there.

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the “Powerhouse Parramatta" project, currently on display, reveals numerous fatal flaws. Based on recent meticulous analysis by museums expert Lindsay Sharp, the Powerhouse Founding Director, 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
COST
Project costs have blown out from $200 M (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 an insult to both Parramatta and Inner Sydney. It’s NOT A MUSEUM - not even the “museum” initially promised and I recommend leaving the Powerhouse Museum where it is, that is in Ultimo.

I OBJECT TO THE POWERHOUSE PARRAMATTA in that we should not be destroying the history and heritage of the Parramatta area in this way. "Willow Grove" is a beautiful historic house with a powerful history of helping women in the biggest event of their lives - becoming mothers. This is a powerful history and a story that needs to be protected and told. Fundamental flaws have also been listed in the plans for the new museum, which does not allow enough space for the museum and seeks to incorporate other things to the extreme disadvantage of the museum. I object to the loss of our built history and the loss therefore of the cultural heritage of the surrounding area. People need to understand where they have come from, and to appreciate that to understand and to be able to cope with the future. We need to be firmly grounded in our history in order to perpetuate our future. If you demolish buildings of the past such as Willow Grove, you lose a unique tie to the past and one that can be seen, experienced, and enjoyed. Please don't move the Powerhouse Museum and please do not destroy "Willow Grove". I am a Local History Librarian by profession and I see everyday in my role in Western Australia how much our built heritage means to us. I am a proud New South Welshwoman living over here in WA and I am proud of Australia's heritage. Please keep "Willow Vale".

Yours sincerely,
Rosemary

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project.

Our city has already lost much of it's historical buildings and connections to early settlement with the Parramatta CBD area particularly lacking in heritage buildings, it is almost ironic that such heritage would be demolished to construct a museum and commercial complex.
It also seems counter intuitive to spend the amount of money planned to relocate an existing museum to a site where the total climate controlled space is reduced from almost 22000 square meters to 5800 square meters, with no space designated for a conservation lab, the largest areas being at risk of a 1 in 100 year flood, no collection storage space, inadequate loading dock and parking and no consideration given to the powerhouse museums largest collection items.

I have personally been a fan of the existing powerhouse museum, with many a trip there to see exhibitions with my family during my childhood and adult life, Those larger items in their collection being favorites of mine, with seemingly no way to exhibit larger items in this new complex I fail to see how I may one day pass the same experiences I had as a child to my own children.

In short the development is inadequately designed, in no way an improvement for the powerhouse museum and destroys important social and architectural heritage of our countries second oldest city. All for a development that cant decide what its meant to be.

I have worked in Parramatta for 12 years and am very familiar with the heritage buildings and the value of this cultural heritage story to the identity of Parramatta. I strongly object to destroying Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces to make way for an inappropriate building. The proposed Powerhouse Museum is poorly designed, will not support the full collection or display it in an appropriate fashion. The building itself is sitting on a flood prone riverbank and will be prone to inundation resulting in damp damage to the collection. The exoskeleton of lattice is out of keeping with the heritage of the site and is already dated - a 90's look that has been surpassed by sleeker and more contemporary design in other parts of the world. I also object to moving the Powerhouse from its current site where the full collection is appropriately displayed in an accessible manner. The proposed Parramatta Powerhouse is not a world class museum but an entertainment complex. I would support a smaller and more cleverly designed museum on the site that is dedicated to one purpose - say astronomy and space. This would save the incredible cost of trying to move the large display items in the existing Powerhouse, would be less imposing and out of character with Parramatta and allow the retention and restoration of Willowgrove and St Georges Terrace. I also find it incomprehensible that the proposed building does not provide any parking. How will schools parties park the school bus, how are the projected visitors from inner Sydney expected to get to the site if not by car and where will they leave the car on arrival without a carpark? This whole project is badly planned and inappropriate in every respect. The design has no relevance to the early history of Parramatta and no reference to the Indigenous heritage of Parramatta. It will not support the collection and will cost a fortune to build at a time when the money would be best spent on other appropriate projects. Stop now before you do irreparable damage to Parramatta and to the Powerhouse as well as our collective Sydney heritage.

Please find attached EES comments in response

Hi,
I think the demolishing of Willow Grove is a big mistake on multiple fronts.
- The cost of relocating the contents of the powerhouse museum.
- Losing such a historic building that cannot be brought back. It’s a beautiful building and deserves to be kept for future generations.
- The astronomic cost of building the new museum.

The current government has shown that they are great fans of wasting money and resources that would be better off used elsewhere. They have no appreciation for history, nature or the NSW people. That is evident with the bushfires - cutting the funding to the fire services and the failure that is the Sydney light rail.
When I was younger my gran would take me to parramatta park. I have fond memories of my gran and Willow Grove. It would be devastating to have those memories tarnished by its unnecessary demolishment.

I do sincerely hope that this plan is reconsidered and cancelled.

Thank you for your time.

I object to the proposed Power House Museum in Parramatta.
I grew up in Parramatta and are very familiar with the site and surrounding areas
The proposed site is totally inappropriate and unsuitable for the Museum because
it is flood affected ,
has no room to expand .
will have inadequate parking facilities
the access/surrounding roads are to narrow for the additional traffic likely to be created
cant house important displays from the current museum
requires demolition of historic buildings in Parramatta( of which there are too few remaining ) ,
the cost will be disproportionate to the benefit ,
Parramatta should have a more relevant Musuem provided (in addition to leaving the Power House where it currently is ).,if it cant remain at Ultimo a more suitable location should be found outside the Parramatta CBD
Relocating the Museum to the proposed site is a really DUMB move and has not been properly or sensibly considered

I object to the Parramatta Powerhouse project:
- it will destroy valuable historic buildings.
- it is not wanted in Parramatta, certainly not at that site.
- it is a waste of money. Build a hospital or a school instead - or reduce taxes!
I grew up in Parramatta. I’m 68 and still live there. I love economic progress and cultural development. I am not a nutter. I know more than most what’s best for the local area. I know that might doesn’t make right, but seriously, EVERYONE is in agreement with me. Come for a drive around Parramatta with me - I’ll show you what connection to one’s neighbourhood means.