Powerhouse Parramatta

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

I am strongly opposed to the demolition of historic Willow Grove and St George's Terrace. I also am strongly opposed to the Powerhouse Museum being relocated to Parramatta. I would certainly support a significant new museum or gallery in Parramatta but to argue, as the government is, that this can only be achieved by the relocation of the Powerhouse Museum is deliberately misleading and unprincipled. I have never heard of anyone objecting to a major museum for Greater Sydney. Sydney is big enough for both the Powerhouse and another excellent museum in Western Sydney.
If the government, unwisely in the face of very strong opposition, insists on proceeding with moving the Powerhouse, could they at least make sure the design of the Parramatta Powerhouse is altered to include the retention of Willow Grove and St George's Terrace? Parramatta has a wonderfully rich history of excellent colonial and Victorian buildings and we have retained so few of these in Greater Sydney.
If this current project proceeds it will confirm for me that the current NSW government is just a developer and driven only by money. I hate to think what the government has in mind for the current historic Powerhouse site: high rise units no doubt. I had hoped for much better.

I strongly oppose the destruction of the historic buildings in Parramatta (Willowgrove & St Georges Terrace) as part of the relocation of the Powerhouse Museum. I have substantial links with the area and feel that the loss of the buildings will result in permanent damage to our social history. My direct family links to the area related to my father being the accountant at Parramatta Psychiatric Hospital in the 1960s and '70s. I spent many hours exploring the area with my sister, playing in the gardens whilst we waited for our father to complete work. My father was involved in the annual fete in the Wisteria Gardens and it was always a big celebration for our extended family. My Grandmother and Mother would often take us to shop in Parramatta (particularly at David Jones). I have always loved the unique architectural feel of Parramatta and its links to our convict and indigenous history. I believe that Willowgrove and its proximity to the river and all the Sandstone buildings and bridges are an essential part of what makes Parramatta unique. As an adult I have maintained my links to the area, teaching in the Parramatta, and riding my bike weekly along the river to Parramatta Park.

I object to this project. The museum site in Sydney is not only of great heritage importance in itself, it provides a great location to showcase a unique collection of objects. A project of this cost and importance should be a tangible upgrade in facilities and services. According to the SMH, the new museum will have only 25 per cent of the display area of the existing museum.
I am concerned about the idea of 'flexible' exhibition space replacing permanent displays. While more space for loaned collections from across the country and overseas is surely a good thing, museums must tell the story of their objects in a context and history. This means that they must be present as part of a collection that tells a cohesive story, rather than a few highlights left in an exhibition space used for all manner of things.
Furthermore, the new location is apparently situated upon a floodplain! Utter madness.

It seems unreal that a global museum like the Powerhouse Museum, which attracts a lot of locals but also tourists, will be moved to an area of Sydney where (let’s be honest) nobody will go to see its artefacts!

Moreover not having thought of where to put these artefacts is just another joke! Nowhere in the world (even in under developed countries) a such a bad management has been seen!

I am originally from Switzerland and I mentioned this to my friends and they asked me if the government had always been so biased or if it was new! I sadly responded that it’s been some time now that nobody cares about the Arts Industry and it’s appalling.

I honestly hope that at least on this project, common sense will prevail.

I strongly object to the removal of heritage buildings to make way for the new Powerhouse building. Consider what the Rocks would look like today if heritage buildings had been demolished. Future generations will not look kindly on this government. You can find a solution.

I am against the moving of the powerhouse museum. It is costing way too much money and it belongs where it is. It is a beautiful heritage building and should not be torn down for more ugly apartments just to make the nsw gov more money

“I (we) object to the project…”
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the “Powerhouse Parramatta" project, currently on display, reveals numerous fatal flaws. 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
COSTS
Project costs have blown out from $200M (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 a sick joke and an insult to both Parramatta and Inner Sydney. It’s NOT A MUSEUM - not even the “museum” initially promised.

Dear Premier,
While you have inherited this poisoned chalice from your predecessor, you now have the chance to show your leadership in bringing this double vandalism to an end.
In a time when we are calling out for young students to study STEM subjects and follow a career in this needed field, you are planning to remove an existing physical database of our engineering and technological history.
Those who don't learn from our history are often the ones who repeat the same mistakes and, in my mind, moving the Powerhouse collection is an expensive and wasteful mistake.
I believe that the people of Parramatta and the West are entitled to a museum and have heard that there are plenty of items at Castle Hill to equip such a museum thereby getting more of the collection out on display.
Demolishing the heritage building 'Wattle Grove' and St George's Terrace would be another example if vandalism of our disappearing history. Repeated mistakes?
Surely by now we are an educated enough society to have at least learnt something of previous mistakes.
Sure, it is important to digitise the collection, that is what STEM is all about. Share the knowledge widely on the internet to encourage visitors to come and see it for themselves.
Now is your chance to listen to the wider community, to save the horrendous expense of moving and storage (including potential damage) and help bring the budget back closer to a surplus.
I am a great great grandson of Sir Henry Parkes, who helped stage the 1879 International Exhibition at the Garden Palace. When that burnt down, one of the few surviving objects was the carbon elephant which became the symbol for the Sewerage and Drainage museum (later to become the Technological Museum in Harris Street) which has then morphed into the wonderful Powerhouse Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences.
All I ask is that you take the leadership, leave the Powerhouse and its collection in place, put the cost of moving it towards another museum in Parramatta, and equip it from the Castle Hill collection.
To me that would be a win win situation for North, East, South and West as well as the budget of NSW.
Electorally it is also a winner for you. Strong leadership wins votes.
Regards
Ian Thom

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the “Powerhouse Parramatta" project, currently on display, reveals numerous fatal flaws. 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% (5,200m2) 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

COSTS
Project costs have blown out from $200M (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 traveling 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 a sick joke and an insult to both Parramatta and Inner Sydney. It’s NOT A MUSEUM - not even the “museum” initially promised.

I object to the closure of the Powerhouse museum and its removal to a site at Parramatta. The proposal will remove the amenity of the existing outstanding museum, without its replacement providing a similar value to the public. The announced proposals for the Parramatta site will not allow adequate provision for a number of larger exhibits on substantial technical and historic significance, and the apparent emphasis on entertainment and retail elements with 'dumb down' the cultural values embodied in the museum. The dispersal of larger exhibits to other venues will mean a fragmented approach to our technical heritage. Also, the removal of heritage properties at Parramatta in order to build the new museum is a negative outcome that should not occur. The absence of any information on the future of the Ultimo site leads many observers to conclude that the move is prompted by the intention to raise revenue from its sale, rather than the specious rationales provided by the government . A suitable cultural/event facility at Parramatta could be provided at a lesser cost than that proposed to destroy and partly re-locate the Powerhouse museum.

I think it is a big waste of money.
The old powerhouse is a great place, quirky, intimate, a place to explore and be amazed by.
For the amount of money being spent on the project, the existing location could be provided with the most fabulous updates for a hundred years.
Also I object to the demolition of the heritage buildings already on the Parramatta site. It is completely unnecessary.
Please simply stop this project entirely.
Thanks
Chris Thompson.

I object to the project firstly in its direct destruction of sites of cultural and historical significance at Parramatta. I further object to the sell-off of publicly owned land at 500 Harris Street, which has been a place of significant experiences and memories for generations of my family.

I further am disappointed that the destruction of the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo is to occur well in advance of the construction of the Parramatta version resulting in many children, families, visitors being robbed of the opportunity to visit a museum celebrating the progress of Australian society.

Even if the two sites cannot be saved from destruction, it is sensible to have the museum ready to receive the artefacts from Ultimo (by completion of the Parramatta site) prior to the closure of the current museum.

Any other order is illogical, and a planning failure unless there is an ulterior motive of the NSW Government.

I request that the Government desist from its planned closure of the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo until such time as they can demonstrate its plans for that site and show how exhibitions will be saved from the historical dump (such as the iconic Wiggles Exhibition which celebrates a home-grown icon).

Yours sincerely

Phil Grindley

The Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo is one of the iconic museums of the world. It is unique in demonstrating how technology, engineering, science and design have impacted Australia and the world. It is recognised worldwide for the magnificent layout and collection. With origins dating back to 1879, moving to Harris street Ultimo, then in 1978, Premier Neville Wran announced that the decrepit Ultimo Power Station, several hundred metres north of the Harris Street site had been earmarked as the museum's new permanent home along with the adjoining former Ultimo Tram Depot. A wonderful museum opened in 1988, in time for Australia's Bicentenary and has been attracting Australian and overseas visitors in their millions ever since.

With half a million items available for display, this museum should stay where it is. The huge objects - locomotives, steam engines, aircraft should not be moved. Many of the displays are fragile, and would be damaged if moved.

To move this museum and its collection anywhere else is beyond reasonable thought.

To move it to a flood prone riverbank in Parramatta, destroying two of the most beautiful and culturally valuable buildings in the city is nothing more than vandalism.

I do not believe that a complete case has been presented to the public on the matter of the site planned for the "Powerhouse Parramatta" move. The destruction of Willow Grove and the St George Terraces is unbelievable, and shows an insensitive and vandalous attitude on the part of the state government and the local council.

I have been a resident of the Parramatta for 40 years. Whilst in Merrylands, Dundas and North Rocks I have enjoyed the historical sites of Parramatta as a young person, right through to my retirement. Countless hours of enjoying the wonderful places (many now gone) in my city, The Memorial Swimming Pool is gone, the hotels have gone, the trees have gone. Real history is being destroyed to make way for plastic and glass high rise, a light rail that the public did not want, and now a set of milk crates forming a conference centre and movable displays, called a museum.

The impact of losing our history and the sense of the character of Parramatta have not been properly studied. The Environmental Impact Study lacks any empathy towards the feelings of the locals. Our sense of place in this city and this country are being ignored for a project that is opaque and hides the reasons for the move in the first place.

Our willow Grove and St Georges Terraces are rare examples of architecture that no longer exist in our city. They must be preserved for our future generations.

The reasons behind the move of a beautiful and functional museum must be made public, and any monetary contracts must be made visible. There seems to be a great deal of detail that nobody in government or council are willing to speak about.

I ask that the Powerhouse Museum be left operational in Ultimo, and that if Parramatta is to get a museum, it should be our own, and be where we want it to be built.