Powerhouse Parramatta

I object strongly to the demolition of Willow Grove in Parramatta and to the building of the Powerhouse Museum on the proposed site on Parramatta River.
It is a travesty to believe that you can simply shift pieces of history around and reconstruct it in another ‘place’ like LEGO blocks. The land on which the structure is built is the basic integral part of its history.
When I went to Parramatta High School many years ago, we were taught that Parramatta was the ‘Cradle of the Nation’. There was a ‘pride of place’ of being where the colony that was to become the beginnings of this new settlement in New South Wales began. Yes began!......the building blocks of this new country were laid down in Parramatta.
Despite a troublesome beginning there was a determination to build a fine City, a fine State a fine Nation. However there seems to be no contemporary pride of history or place to honour the Legacy.
Historic sites cannot be moved around like portaloos. They simply lose their magic and lose their souls and are replaced with cement, glass, lighting and hullabaloo and the perpetrators go down in history as philistines
Those who dare to show the courage to make a stand and protect the integrity of what can never be replaced may attract immediate opprobrium, but they will be honoured as tomorrow’s heroes.
I implore that you preserve and protect this historic City, this ‘Cradle of our Nation’ for future generations of Australians and visitors to our shores.

I am writing to object to the proposal to remove Willow Grove from Phillip Street and replace it with a replica beside Parramatta gaol.

This is a ridiculous proposal that involves the destruction of an important place of interest in the state's history.

I am writing to express my dismay at the decision to demolish and move Willowgrove from Parramatta. I am a colour consultant who specialises in heritage and period properties, and I am constantly astonished at how many properties are allowed to be demolished with no thought to saving them for the future. A large majority of the time, these properties are replaced with modern "boxes" which have no architectural merit, and all the history and narrative is destroyed.

As you would know, Willow Grove is a 19th Century villa in the Italianate style and later became a maternity hospital. There is much history and many stories here that deserve to be preserved.

The State Government has a heritage listing on this property and I am shocked to find out that the State Government can override this listing to demolish the building. In order to have a heritage listing placed on it, the Governmnet must have felt at that time that it had heritage significance. Why then, is the State Government now denying this heritage?
The building’s state heritage listing notes that it is “a good example of a Victorian Italianate two-storey villa, readily identifiable as part of historic building stock and strongly contributing to the streetscape in spite of its large setback, partly through its notable fence.” The listing states that Willow Grove is of significance for historical, aesthetic and representative reasons.

The local community doesn't want Willowgrove to be demolished, nor do a majority of people want to see the Powerhouse Museum on this site or even moved from Ultimo.

I implore you to please reconsider the plans to demolish or remove Willowgrove. It must stay in its current location for the history to be preserved. Please have the foresight to see that our history is as important as progress. As has been done in much of Europe, keeping historical buildings whilst still allowing modern additions is possible and allows visitors to experience the best of both worlds.

I object to the removal of Willow Grove to another location. It is an ill thought-out solution to a problem that should NOT be a problem at all. We have a duty to retain our historic buildings and we must retain them in situ. Moving to another location detracts from the building’s significance. The house belongs on the river bank where it was built.
Would we want Shakespeare’s Cottage to be pulled apart stone by stone and trucked off to Devon? I don’t think so. If it’s a museum we need how about reviving the gaol? It is standing there in slow decline.
Please put this idea to rest and remember many people are not on your side and we have opinions too and we count!

I object ....to the demolition and or removal of Willow Grove in Phillip Street, Parramatta.

Allowance must be made to incorporate the Willow Grove home into the current plans for the Museum or even better put the Museum somewhere else.

Parramatta is such an historical City but is fast loosing all its heritage buildings. It was hard enough to accept that Parramatta's oldest pub was raised to the ground for the sake of a light rail that is neither needed or wanted and such a waste of OUR tax payers money. I am also deep concerned for the precinct of the Parramatta Women's Jail but that's another issue.

Parramatta City residents are fast loosing patience with the Government over the continual disregard for what we would like to see happen in our City. I am sure you are well aware we are STILL waiting for a local pool. Not having a pool has not only disadvantaged the Parramatta locals it has also disadvantaged schools with no summer swimming lessons (a vital activity) and no swimming carnivals. Cannot be more disappointed a Memorial Pool was demolished, leaves me with no confidence in our Government.

Please, please, please listen to those that are concerned for our Parramatta heritage, not everything bigger and brighter makes for a wonderful city. Please consider the history and foundations that made Parramatta what it is today. Imagine what Europe would be like if every city pulled down its old buildings and made everything new. There would be no need to travel because there would be nothing worth visiting.

Please, please, please consider the historical significance for tourists coming by Ferry and Train to Parramatta. If you continue to wreck our heritage there will be nothing to see and no reason for tourists to travel out from the City only to see tall modern buildings that mean nothing.

Don't think for a minute that because you were voted in that everyone wants and likes you and your party. Often there is not a lot of choice and we have to vote for someone. Please, please, please for once listen to the people that care for the heritage of Parramatta, do the right thing and LEAVE WILLOW GROVE WHERE IT IS.

Save Willow Grove.

The idea of demolishing Willow Grove from its original site to then rebuild a replica is ludicrous.
Please go back to the drawing board and come up with a more suitable plan to save the heritage of Parramatta rather than destroying the little we have left.
Thanking you in anticipation,

I object ....

I object to the intended removal of Willow Grove cottage from its present location. Removing it would destroy an essential part of its heritage value.

I am expressing my objection to the proposal to dismantle Willow Grove and build a replica building at another location in Parramatta.

I object ....stop destroying our heritage.

I object because this is heritage that cannot be replaced or moved. It is in a sensitive location.
The replacement looks awful.
By all means do a tasteful museum but place it somewhere else. There are lots of ugly buildings in Parramatta. Why destroy history?

I object to the Powerhouse Parramatta project for a number of reasons.

The current Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo is one of the top ten attractions in Sydney, and is easily accessible from anywhere, and especially for tourists. Visitors will not spend time to travel to Parramatta, if they are only in Sydney for a week. Schools visit Ultimo every day, but Parramatta is not as accessible for school trips.

But also create a new, exciting Museum and cultural destination at historic Cumberland Hospital Precinct in North Parramatta…..relevant to the Parramatta area.

Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace are major heritage sites – we have already seen the destruction of the historic Windsor Bridge by this NSW Government….no care for the heritage values there, and no care taken to protect the unique history…..just destroyed – it is heart-breaking. These two Parramatta buildings must be retained….a city does not need to be all modern concrete. My children and grandchildren need to have the ability to see history for themselves, not just read about it in a book.

Save historic Willow Grove & St Georges Terraces, and realise the existing Parramatta Council vision for a public square alongside the river.

I have not made any reportable political donations.

Do not continue to destroy the heritage in Sydney and NSW

I object to the relocation/ demolition of Willow Grove, which has a real sense of place for myself and my family.

I object to the moving of Willow Grove for any reason. A museum would be best suited in the Fleet ST area where there are already many lovely historic buildings. My family lived in Fleet street
for 3 generations so we know the area and the buildings and the space that is around them.. Willow Grove is such a lovely old building and the only one of it’s kind in Parramatta. Why is our history being torn apart?? No longer is Parramatta recognisable. Myself and sister were born at Willow Grove. It is a unique building and should not be destroyed nor moved for a museum as it is a museum already. Moving is such a ridiculous idea and builders will tell you it wouldn’t work. A building like this cannot be moved with any success. It will disappear just like the swimming pool did. Another sad event by Govt.
I want my great grand children to discover parts of Parramatta from my era. 5 generations of my family lived, educated , married and died there. Will my grandparents sandstone home on Church St be next to go?? Parramatta is not Sydney and it’s about what Parramatta people want and not what the current Govt has decided. What happened to “govern of the people for the people” Please rethink and save Willow Grove and build or relocate the Powerhouse museum to Fleet St into the existing buildings. Thank you. One of the oldest families from Parramatta and First Fleeters.

I am lodging an objection to the Powerhouse Parramatta RTS.
This whole scheme is ridiculous.
I grew up in Rydalmere and shopped in Parramatta with Mum and Dad. I learnt ballet in Parramatta. We had our Ballet shows in the Parramatta Town Hall. I went to Macarthur Girls High School where we went to the Parramatta shops after school. We swam at Parramatta pool, often. I went on my first date in Parramatta. We saw the first Beatles Movie at the Roxy. I worked in Parramatta in the old Family Court down by the River and also worked near the Local Court just down from the pool. Some of my Convict Ancestors lived at the Female Factory. Parramatta used to be a great place to have dinner with the girls during the day.

Hah! Not a great place any more. The Chinese High Rises are an eyesore, they have ruined the City. Such a disgrace, to ruin the City just to make a buck. Cannot go for a dinner anymore during the day, NO PARKING! The last time I tried that, this 70 year old girl had to park miles away and walk down to the restaurant. That was the last time we went for dinner in Parramatta. We have to go elsewhere now, not by choice, but by necessity. The City is now noisy and dirty, it’s totally ruined and the Council are going to ruin it even further by your proposal for Willow Grove and the Powerhouse.

I totally object to the Council’s actions – such an Historical City, ruined.

I object to the relocation of Willow Grove from it’s original location as it will lose historical context.
The grounds are just as valuable and much of Sydney CBD has been lost and is uglifying. I want to see Pattamatta retain what it has for a richer diverse experience, as its people are.

I object to the destruction of Parramatta’s history.
Its somewhat ironic that we should destroy architectural history in order to build a museum.
This is completely wrong and unjust!!!

I object to the removal of Willow Grove from Phillip St Parramatta as such an act is tantamount to destruction of the fabric of the social history in which it is embedded. The National Trust heritage architects are experts in significance & should be listened to.
I am a descendant of Parramatta business people and feel that the full diversity of community history should be told with contextual authenticity

Powerhouse Parramatta Objection to RTS

To remove this important historic building, brick by brick, and try to rebuild it in another location is beyond belief. This is not a building constructed of large sandstone blocks that can easily be removed with little damage. This may have been done with churches in the past in Parramatta, but this technique cannot be applied to Willow Grove. The plastered walls and rendered bricks are much more delicate and would be totally ruined by moving. Aside from this the disrespect for the site itself being shown by this State Government is incredible!
This heritage listed building is one of a few private hospitals where women gave birth in the early to mid 20th Century.
In 1919, Mrs E.E. Davidson, a matron and midwife, purchased the property. This was the same year the world-wide pandemic of influenza struck Sydney and Parramatta.
When Estella Private Hospital (now known as Willow Grove) opened there were 129 private ‘lying-in’ (or maternity) hospitals recorded in Sydney. The majority were run by trained midwives forming a private maternity hospital system in New South Wales. Prior to this, private homes were often used for birthing. In Parramatta all of these have since been demolished. It was not until the 1950s when a maternity unit opened in the Parramatta District Hospital to cater for the needs of the local population, supported by the State Government. This building therefore represents a significant period in the medical history of the district.
Doctors who are commemorated at the local Parramatta Brislington Medical and Nursing Museum, worked at this maternity hospital and encouraged "lying-in care" as well as medical and surgical care for patients. They were on call at all hours and at short notice for emergencies as well as providing routine visits and consultations. Most notably were Drs Waugh and Whiting, who were highly regarded within the community and worked for many years at the Parramatta District Hospital as Resident Medical Officers.
Willow Grove is an historical residence associated with a significant phase in development of Parramatta in the nineteenth century. It is associated with locally significant persons: Mrs E. Davidson, midwife and nurse, Matron May Victoria West, and Matron Frances Amy Thompson who, in turn, owned it and ran it as a private maternity hospital and then a nursing facility between 1920 and 1952. The provision of annual licensing and regular inspection at the hospital ensured that standards for midwifery care were greatly improved and untrained staff were eliminated from the medical care of patients.
The social significance of Willow Grove was as a maternity hospital for a long period of time, and thus it can be argued that it presents an important place for some older generation residents of the local area. Many people who visit Brislington Medical Museum recall tales of their parents and extended family members being born there and thus feel a bond with the site.
The property is significant for the Parramatta Local Government Area for ‘historical and aesthetic reasons’ and serves as an example of the type of building constructed during an early wave of development in the area.
The building’s state heritage listing notes that it is “a good example of a Victorian Italianate two-storey villa, readily identifiable as part of historic building stock and strongly contributing to the streetscape in spite of its large setback, partly through its notable fence.”
The listing states that Willow Grove is of significance for historical, aesthetic and representative reasons.

Please respect our past.

The Volunteers Of Brislington House

I object to any damage, removal or other being done to this historic building. We must be the only country in the world not to value our heritage buildings and try our utmost to preserve them.