Powerhouse Museum officially moving to Parramatta, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announces
WESTERN Sydney has won the fight for the Powerhouse Museum — with Premier Gladys Berejiklian set to announce she has secured a site on the Parramatta River.
NSW
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WESTERN Sydney has won the fight for the Powerhouse Museum — with Premier Gladys Berejiklian set to announce she has spent $140 million to secure a site on the banks of the Parramatta River.
The Premier will announce that not only will the museum move from Ultimo to the Parramatta site but that it will be bigger and better than the current museum. There will only be a small arts or start-up presence left at Ultimo, which will not be part of the Powerhouse Museum.
Under the terms of the deal to give Parramatta Council $140 million for the site on the old David Jones car park on the banks of Parramatta River, $100 million will be spent on upgrading the Riverside Theatre at Parramatta and $40 million dedicated for Western Sydney arts funding over the next 20 years. “Once this relocation is complete, there will be one Powerhouse Museum and it will be in Parramatta,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The new world-class Powerhouse in Parramatta will include iconic items currently in Ultimo but it will be better — trains, planes, trams and much more.
“The new Powerhouse in Parramatta will be bigger and better than anything this state has seen and will be a drawcard for domestic and international visitors.” The $100 million redevelopment of the Riverside Theatre will be a partnership between the council and state government.
Former premier Mike Baird announced the Powerhouse was moving to Parramatta in 2014 and since then a price tag of $1 billion has been put on the project, with that cost looking possible after today’s deal. Since Gladys Berejiklian became premier and made Don Harwin her arts minister, the government has said some of the museum might be able to remain at Ultimo. The compromise idea had raised the ire of the Western Sydney community and Opposition Leader Luke Foley.
But the government wants to move away from those doubts and commit to the relocation.
“We are working to build a world-class performing arts centre at the Riverside which will attract the very best shows in Australia,” Mr Harwin said.
Parramatta Liberal MP Geoff Lee said the agreement would support the continued growth of the arts and cultural sector in Parramatta.
“Every cent of the $140 million that the NSW government is investing will be spent ... in Parramatta,” he said.
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