Powerhouse Parramatta

I object to the project in its current form and location.

As a resident of Sydney and a donor of several collection objects I am extremely disappointed that the new powerhouse building in Parramatta will has not been designed to adequately exhibit the ALL the valuable technical objects in its collection. If this was not bad enough the Ultimo buildings will be closed during the construction without consideration of the technical exhibits or visibility of the process.

The current ultimo Powerhouse was design specifically to permanently house large technology exhibits including steam. I cannot see why the Powerhouse needs to be closed. Surely an additional not a replacement museum in Parramatta would help better exhibit many of the objects that are currently in storage and provide additional space for theme exhibitions.

To whom it may concern,

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project.

As someone who was born at Parramatta hospital and was a long-term resident of the district, I have a strong personal history with the area and the parks and buildings within it. To think that the NSW Government is mandating a plan to permernatley destroy some of the most significant historical heritage of Parramatta is bewildering!

As the second oldest city in Australia, it is imperative to save any buildings of significance within Parramatta. They can never be replaced—especially not by prefabricated glass buildings with zero architectural merit. Added to that, staggeringly, the proposed Powerhouse building is proposed to be constructed on a known flood plain. Investigation of the recent past plainly shows the evidence of previous flooding at the site. A simple Google search image is attached.

Parramatta certainly deserves a world-class museum that can be built in an area that does not destroy its history and that is based on the recommendations of experts, not paid Government consultants. The proposed Powerhouse building has seemingly been designed as a retail and event space and is not appropriate as a museum, according to the experts.

Sydney has been the unfortunate victim of having many of its important historical buildings torn down in the name of “progress”. I attach a picture of what was a magnificent building on George Street, Sydney, which was shamefully demolished. Now a glass box, soulless Apple Store stands in its place. There are sadly many more examples of this in the history of Sydney.

Thankfully, across Sydney there are some great examples of our historical buildings being saved and repurposed. The Rocks and the QVB are perfect examples of what retaining our history can achieve. I hope that common sense will prevail and in future the same will be able to be said about Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces.
Parramatta’s history must be retained at all costs. Alternative possible sites for a museum at Parramatta are endless. Alongside the madness of this destruction, every NSW taxpayer (and voter) I have spoken to finds the ludicrous costs of the museum relocation to be obscene.

Let’s be clear, the general population is fully aware of the Government’s objective for the current Powerhouse site in Ultimo: to give another windfall to the almighty real estate development sector by giving it more public land to build more glass towers.

Regards,
Scott Davis

I object to the project strongly for the following reasons
- project built on a well known flood plain
- destruction of historical buildings on the site instead on integrating them into the design
- Overall reduction in size and reduction in permanent display space compared to Ultimo site
- inability to display large iconic exhibits
- does not meet environmental standards for museums
- No provision for storage and curating staff
- cost and business cases not fully articulated by the Government
- Lack of consultation and input from community in the project development
- destruction of existing Ultimo site
- Project concept caters for commercial interests over the community needs
- Building and form resembles a convention centre rather than a museum
- Overwhelming public opinion against the proposal

I do not object to a museum and cultural facility being built in Parramatta. In fact I believe a Power House 2 should be built there to display the many artefacts currently in storage. I do object to:
1. The Power House, Ultimo being closed.
a. Many of the world class and unique large exhibits will not be able to be displayed in a building that is to be multi-use. They will likely be stored, never to be seen again; dismantling may well cause damage.
b. The Power House building is uniquely suitable to permanently display the very large exhibits, such as aeroplanes and steam engines/locomotives.
c. The Power House is currently situated at the centre of Sydney's transport network. Unlike Parramatta, it is possible for almost anyone who can get to a train station to have more or less direct access to the museum. To get to Parramatta from, for example, Wollongong or Newcastle, a tortuous journey is required. To the current site it requires one train, then light rail. From railway stations south, north and west of Parramatta, the same applies. Apart from residents of suburbs directly east of Parramatta, many would find the journey beyond them.
2. The current Parramatta plan requires removal of some of the very few heritage buildings this state has. For future generations we need to care for and nurture the European history that exists here. Parramatta is one of the few places left in the Sydney environs that has a visible history of European settlement. Already much of that has been destroyed. We must keep what is left.
3. The current plan requires building on a flood plain. With climate change and rising sea levels, this would seem foolhardy to say the least. This also would seem to support the previous comments that the extremely large and heavy exhibits would require huge amounts of expensive work to keep them safe. Nothing containing valuable works of art should be kept on such a site. The severe floods in Prague some years ago demonstrated this.
Finally, I would like to say that this world class museum is a place frequently dropped into by tourists, who are often on a couple of days stopover between flights and, unfortunately do not have time to negotiate our slow city transport to visit historic Parramatta. The Power House should remain where it is. No one would dream of suggesting that the Louvre. the Victoria and Albert Museum, or the Prado be moved. PLEASE DO NOT DO IT!

I object to the Project on the following grounds:

1. Unacceptable loss due to destruction of heritage buildings
Heritage buildings are irreplaceable and belong to all Australians. The loss of heritage items is an unacceptable burden on society and our history and a new museum is not an adequate reason, if there is any, to destroy irreplaceable heritage items.

2. Existing and proposed museum not mutually exclusive
It is not unusual for a museum to have one or more annexes, as the Powerhouse already does. Creating a more substantial satellite to the Ultimo museum would be complementary to the existing exhibition and storage spaces.

3. Great cities offer the widest possible range of cultural attractions as close as possible to their centres
Great cities do not sacrifice world-class cultural institutions to build new ones in satellite cities such as Parramatta: they manage to operate both.

4. Relocation costs are wasted expenditure with no return on investment
Moving major exhibits from Ultimo site to Parramatta will come at huge cost but not improve the experience or number of visitors.

5. School excursions from regional areas such as Wollongong, the Central Coast and the Hunter may makea day trip to Ultimo on the train whereas Parramatta will be too far. Many school students and their parents travel to the museum at Ultimo as a regular excursion from places across Sydney. This will not be possible for as many students if the museum is decentralised.

6. New Economic Circumstances
The Government funds being depleted at all levels, spending hundreds of millions of dollars just to move a museum from one location to another cannot be condoned in any circumstances.

7. Loss of exhibits from public exhibition
The significant reduction in exhibition space will deprive visitors of the opportunity to view exhibits which can no longer be placed on display.

8. Lateral Thinking
A modicum of lateral thinking would allow the Proponent to realise that it can have a new museum at Parramatta for less than it will cost to relocate the existing Ultimo museum.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project, because:
- the Environmental Impact Statement has not appropriately investigated or appraised the site's social history, especially that of the Willow Grove Villa and St George Terraces heritage sites
- both the Willow Grove Villa and St George Terraces demonstrate significant examples of unique architecture in the Parramatta area
- As a maternity hospital, the Willow Grove Villa site is important in illustrating early 20th century Australian women's history. The site provides a continuation of Parramatta's female history begun by the Female Factory and Female Orphan School.

I object to the Parramatta Powerhouse project.
Parramatta needs to keep as many of its historical sites and buildings as possible. The powerhouse relocation to Parramatta will cause the loss of Willow House and St Georges Terrace. These need to be saved as they are attractive, historical and important features in Parramatta. Some of the main attractions to visitors in Parramatta are the open spaces and historical buildings. Yet more of these will be lost with the construction of this project.
It is easier for most people in the Greater Sydney region to travel to the city than to the Current Powerhouse site than Parramatta. Also whilst they are in the city they are near other museums such as the Maritime museum and can possibly visit both together. Car parking is difficult and expensive in Parramatta and public transport is often crowded, infrequent and inconvenient. The site of the project is a long way from the railway station. Most transport in other parts of the Greater Sydney Metropolitan area radiate inwards or outwards from the city . This means if you live in most parts of Sydney that are not near Parramatta you would first need to travel into the city and then out to Parramatta to visit the new museum. This would deter people from visiting it. Parramatta is already crowded with traffic and transport problems and this will only worsen with a new museum.
The current site and condition of the present Powerhouse museum in Sydney is excellent. It seems poor planning to move a successful museum with good public transport links. Parramatta lacks the efficient public transport of the city has and is already struggling with over development. It would lose historically significant and attractive buildings due to this project.

Dear Sir/Madam, It beggars belief that this project is progressing. Relocation of the musuem to a smaller, flood prone site that cannot house many of the musuem's collection can only be considered an act of cultural vandalism being carried out to serve short term political expediency ( winning votes in Western Sydney) and a poorly devised real estate deal ( development of the musuem's current site). Should this project progress, the state will lose an important and much loved ( if neglected and under funded) institution and gain nothing in return.
If there can be shown a need to relocate it ,why not relocate it to Newcastle where there are no major state government funded cultural facilities at all , instead of a half hour train ride from its current location? At least such a dramatic move could be justified by promoting a parity of cultural expenditure and making the state's cultural institions accessible to residents outside the Sydney metropolitan area. As a state institution, the interests of ALL residents of NSW should be considered as the first priority. This proposal is being done to serve a minority of residents and is not in the states'interests. Relocation to this particular site in Parramatta is to put it simply one of the dumbest and least defensible proposals ever promoted by a state government in NSW. It is a political proposal without sound planning or policy objectives that should be rejected unless a more suitable site can be found that can house the majority of the musuem's collection and the large scale pieces within the collection in a safe, secure and permanent museum that is easily accessible to all citizens of the state.

Until such an alternative proposal is developed, the current project fails to adhere to the objectives of the act, in particular
Clause 1.3 (a) to promote the social and economic welfare of the community and a better environment by the proper management, development and conservation of the State’s natural and other resources:
The current proposal fails to convincingly defend the need to relocate the museum from its current site instead of renovating it.
Clause 1.3.(b to facilitate ecologically sustainable development by integrating relevant economic, environmental and social considerations in decision-making about environmental planning and assessment,
The current proposal is on flood prone land meaning that much of the floorspace is lost, increasing the construction cots requiring additional commercial space to be included to offfset the cost with no benefit to the citizens of NSW.
Clause 1.3.(f) (f) to promote the sustainable management of built and cultural heritage (including Aboriginal cultural heritage),
The exisitng museum is not so old that it cannot successfully be renovated/upgraded, therefore the life cycle sustainability of the exisitng buildings has not been considered in the assessment.
Clause 1.3 (g) to promote good design and amenity of the built environment,
The proposed design cannot be regarded as good design as it fails to house much of the exisitng collection, and even if a rotating collection is proposed many of the major exhibits simply don't fit. Placing a cultural institution like a museum on flood prone land is planning madness!
(j) to provide increased opportunity for community participation in environmental planning and assessment.
The proposal has not been subject to adequate public consultation as the decision to move the musuem was announced before alternatives were presented to the public for comment.
Please reject this proposal.
Regards Andrew Sweeney

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project on the grounds that it is an unnecessary waste of public funds and I also object to the demolition of the buildings currently on the site being Willow Lodge and the Terraces. I also object to the removal of objects to the site from the current Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo.
The proposed building at Parramatta is also too small and unfit for purpose as a museum. It is a function centre.

I strongly object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project because of the destruction of Willowgrove and other heritage sites in the area. A sense of place and the character of Parramatta are important to the people in our community.

Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces are beautiful examples of architecture that no longer exist in Parramatta CBD and should be retained for our children to enjoy as we have enjoyed them. The people of Western Sydney and our heritage count. There are other sites in Parramatta that could be explored as better options for the Powerhouse Museum.

I have not made any reportable political donations and wish for my name to be withheld from being published with this submission.

The Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo is an icon of Sydney's cultural landscape, and should not be demolished and relocated to Parramatta. This is not to say Parramatta does not deserve a new museum to help the decentralisation of Sydney's CBDs, on the contrary a museum built to showcase the Indigenous, colonial and environmental heritage of Parramatta would be extremely beneficial for the cultural development of Western Sydney. However, this does not have to come at the expense of other cultural and heritage assets already existing in Ultimo and Parramatta. The cost of this project is completely unjustifiable and exemplifies the current NSW Government's need for unnecessary re-development, and their blatant disregard for community consultation. It is shocking that the government can insist on development projects such as this when the overwhelming community consensus, across all of Greater Sydney, is that we do not want it.

I strongly opposed the construction of the Powerhouse Museum at Parramatta and urge the government to reconsider destroying an integral piece of Ultimo's history, and to instead consult with the greater Parramatta community about the construction of a more inclusive, relevant museum that encourages tourism, job growth and sustainable design.

I object to the project ‘Powerhouse Parramatta’ for a number of reasons:
- This project will mean the destruction of Willow Grove and St Georges terraces. I enjoy discovering Parramatta’s historical buildings and would like my children do be able to do the same. Alas if they are destroyed they will not be replaceable.
- I believe that the Berejiklian government decide to go ahead with ridiculous and un-needed destructions and developments using my taxes. Even after many of these are demonstrated to be bad for the environment, heritage and economy they are pushed on forward. This government does not listen to reason and will not ever change it's collective view. The move of the Powerhouse is one such example. The PowerHouse in Sydney does NOT need moving at all, but if it IS moved it should not be at the cost of such an important historical site. Additionally the cost of the move and maintaining the collection (and moving the changing collections in and out will be an ongoing cost.) I also believe that the current Powerhouse site in Sydney will be sold off as development which will cause a further loss of historical site outside of Parramatta.

I OBJECT TO THE POWERHOUSE PARRAMATTA PROJECT AND OUTLINES APPEAR BELOW.


• Social history and the loss of sense of place and character of Parramatta are important as they have not been adequately studied and reported on in the Environmental Impact Statement.

The importance of Willow Grove to women’s history as a maternity hospital for over three decades for people of Parramatta to the early 1950s.

• Overall cumulative impacts of further heritage destruction in Parramatta currently been undertaken, make Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces vital to retain for communities’ sense of place.

• Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces are rare examples of architecture that no longer exist in Parramatta CBD and should be retained.

The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences holds one of the world’s best collections. It not only tells the many stories of NSW people, history, innovation, industry and culture, it also tells nationally and internationally significant stories. It set new benchmarks for museums in Australia in the 1870s, 1930s, 1980s and 21st century. There is no doubt that the current Powerhouse Museum is a shadow of its former glory. The last five years of indecision, confusion and imposed interpretations of its mission and collections have taken a huge toll. The Museum has also always been for its people - its visitors, communities, collaborators and stakeholders. It’s is one of the richest repositories of knowledge held in Australia. The fight to protect it shows the deep love and respect held by these people. The focus for the future should be on what is needed for the next generations, not on short term political expediency. Has anyone asked what the people of Parramatta and the communities of western Sydney specifically need? Do they want this permeable, multiuse, display, sort of arts institution? Or would they like an interactive Science Centre for their kids? Sydney does not have one unlike Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Perth. Powerhouse Museum can certainly deliver an amazing new facility for this using some of its collections and expertise in this area. The Powerhouse was the first truly interactive museum in Australia in 1988 - that expertise has not been extinguished. Science and technology are their strengths as shown by their ongoing work at the Observatory and on the main site. The exhibition for the anniversary of the Apollo moon landings were very popular and lauded. Why couldn’t there be a Scienceworks, Exploratorium or Science Museum in London type of museum/centre next to the Parramatta River. I could see families and school children flocking to this type of exciting and educational place. Such a centre could be delivered on a much smaller budget without the issue of flood mitigation, environmental controls or trying to house a 700 tonne locomotive on the first floor. This is just one idea that as far as I know has not been explored or suggested to the western Sydney communities or to the wider Sydney communities. I submit that people want the Powerhouse Museum revitalised on its existing site and maybe something in Parramatta as well - they want to be proud of Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences and they want it all together, not with bits hived off in costume institutes, temporary displays and display storage at Castle Hill. The Museum belongs to everyone and this project is taking it away from everyone. Before any more money is wasted the people of NSW should be asked what they want from their museums and what they need for their kids and grand kids. They should be asked where their museums and collections should be and how they want to access them - on site and online. People love and trust museums because they have the real thing for them to see up close and personal. They want it free and that want it accessible. This project does not deliver to any of these needs or expectations. It needs to stop and be recast now. Perhaps the new Western Australian Museum can show what can be done for half of the proposed budget for this ill defined and obviously not world class project. For this budget the existing Powerhouse Museum could be redeveloped and a satellite Science Centre built at Parramatta and still have money left over. Please lets save the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences.

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta Project.
I believe I need to make it known that I have not made any political donations.

My reasons are not many nor too lengthy but simply – Australian History. More importantly Parramatta History.
We have had numerous historical buildings demolished over the years and very soon we will have no heritage whatsoever to pass on to our children and grandchildren.

Yes Parramatta is a very Multi-Cultural area, so maybe the history isn’t as important to our overseas citizens as to those born here right now, but those children that are born here have the right to know Australian history as well as their other parents and Grandparents. I would never deny anyone from keeping their own culture alive. But we need to keep our heritage alive as well.

The observation that ‘the West” need to have a cultural Museum nearby is not withstanding. A simple Ferry ride or train ride into the City is not expensive and allows families to have a great day out.

Please rethink this.

One of the other sites proposed earlier was the Parramatta Golf Course. That site is still vacant and very little demolition would be required.
(Or maybe a new swimming pool will be built there as promised – however that’s a whole different story.)

Thank you for your time.

Kind regards,

Judy Richards

I would like to express my concern at the proposed demolition of the historic building Willowgrove. We have the opportunity to preserve this beautiful building before it’s added to the long list of cultural vandalism at the hands of government and developers.

I urge you to reconsider the demolition of Willowgrove as I hope to walk through Sydney with my future grandchildren and for them to feel a connection to our rich history.

I’m writing to OBJECT to the Powerhouse Parramatta project.

I was born in Parramatta, grew up in the Parramatta Area, and attended Tara Anglican School for Girls, in North Parramatta from Kindergarten to Year 12 (until 1987). At school we were taught about the History of Parramatta as part of our education. I have fond memories of many school excursions on historical walking tours, and historical building visits in and around Parramatta. These were often followed by a lengthy assignment with further research in the Parramatta library. The tours weren’t just about visiting the usual museums open to the public, such as Old Government House, but other buildings of less significance so we could gain a real insight into the past of Parramatta, rich and poor. I remember Willow Grove and the St George’ Terraces specifically on these tours, and the contrast between both. I also remember thinking just how absolutely beautiful Willow Grove was. Cut to later, when in my twenties, and seeing a “For Sale” sign go up in front of Willow Grove, dreaming of buying it and turning it in to a wedding venue.

I’ve moved away from the Parramatta area now but still visit it frequently to see my Mum who still lives in our family home. Our favourite thing to do on an almost weekly basis is visit either Parramatta Park or Elizabeth Farm and have Devonshire tea. Parramatta for me has a real sense of place. Returning to it each week gives me a sense of joy and comfort. It’s hard to describe, but when I see all the historical buildings of Burnside as I drive with my Mum from Home into Parramatta, it makes me feel secure. It has upset me greatly over the years seeing the changes it has gone through, which has included the tearing down of many of these old buildings once visited on my school walking tours. If the same thing was to occur both to Willow Grove and the St Georges Terraces this would be heart breaking for me. For some, these are just old buildings, in the way of progress but for others, like myself, they are places of irreplaceable beauty, that touch the soul.

I would very much like you to consider the significance of the loss of sense of place this would have on me and others who hold similar emotions with old buildings, if you were to demolish Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces. That real indescribable sense of connection would be lost. It’s just so unnecessary when there are other areas within Parramatta more suitable to a Powerhouse Museum Project. Wouldn’t it be ideal if the children of the future also have the same opportunity of a historical walking tour around Parramatta, followed by high tea at Willow Grove.

Thank you for your consideration.

I wish to register my objection to the wasteful closure of the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo.

We do not have enough museum space or experiences in Sydney and so I welcome the additional facility at Parramatta.

The industrial heritage of NSW was undoubtedly historically founded in the Darling Harbour/Pyrmont district.

The Science & Technology Museum of Sydney should stay at Ultimo. Over recent years the reconstruction of the Convention & Exhibition Center in Darling Harbour, the light rail, and UTS developments have all contributed to a less than attractive appeal for visiting The PowerHouse Museum. In addition there has been a dearth of attractive and widely marketed special exhibits.

With the Darling Harbour construction completed, the opening of the High Line from central Station, plus the recently announced technology hub at Central Park all help create a renewed marketing opportunity for the Powerhouse Ultimo Museum to be retained.

This opportunity would be enhanced by the link to a Powerhouse Parramatta Museum. This link being not just of Australia's first railway line but Parramatta was our first agricultural site and so it seems to me a wonderful opportunity to create a joint museum experience combining the industrial science and technology museum in Ultimo, with an Agricultural science & technology museum located at Powerhouse Parramatta.

In addition there is a serious lack of an indigenous cultural museum in historic Sydney. This combined Powerhouse - Ultimo & Parramatta, could provide the story of indigenous life before and after colonisation up and down the Parramatta River.

From the Arts aspect the obvious link is of European Sydney with multicultural Parramatta. A good story can be told here as well linking both cities together and allowing for exciting new exhibits at both locations.

Combined packages including either rail or ferry links between the two would create a unique new tourist attraction for the Sydney region.

So my objection is based on the environmental and economic cost of closing Ultimo and moving the historic exhibits to Parramatta and Castle Hill, when compared to creating, at much lower cost and less waste and destruction, a tourist and local marketing opportunity as outlined above, that is:

"Historic Sydney -The Powerhouse Museum Experience - Ultimo & Parramatta"

Please consider this alternative approach to reduce the environmental,economic and social impact of closing Ultimo.

I object to this 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.