Historic buildings face demolition in Powerhouse Museum relocation
OUT with the old and in with the new — that’s the plan for Powerhouse Museum’s relocation to Parramatta if the State Government follows recommendations. Two historical sites are now at risk of being demolished.
Parramatta
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OUT with the old and in with the new — that’s the plan for Powerhouse Museum relocating to Parramatta if the State Government follows recommendations.
And if Parramatta doesn’t want it, there have been whispers Liverpool, Blacktown or Penrith could land the lucrative development.
Redacted State Government documents on the museum’s relocation to Parramatta were released this month. They reveal information that has remained a secret until now.
It has been revealed two of the region’s historical sites are earmarked for demolition to make the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences museum “work”.
Willow Grove, located at 34 Phillip St, was built in the 1870s and has been home to a hospital in many reincarnations. It is one of the at-risk sites.
Residents and local groups are also rallying to save St George’s Terrace, located on the corner of Wilde Ave and Phillip St, from being gobbled up by the development.
Local community group North Parramatta Residents Action Group started a petition on Tuesday night that has already accumulated more than 5000 signatures in support of the historic buildings staying.
Many believe because it’s on the edge of the development site, it would be easier to retain.
There is one option that could save both of the buildings but it’s going to cost an extra $43 million more than the preferred option.
Adding weight to keeping the historic buildings is Parramatta Council’s 2017-2022 Cultural Plan which lists state significant heritage sites and significant archaeological sites, which both of the at-risk sites are included.
The plan’s focus includes celebrating Parramatta’s history.
“We heard how much you value Parramatta’s heritage buildings and historical sites … we have extraordinary built, natural and intangible cultural heritage,” the report says.
From detailed consultation, participants strongly emphasised Parramatta’s heritage was a “cornerstone of future development”.
A Parramatta Council spokeswoman said they value heritage buildings and sites.
“The importance of the city’s heritage is highlighted in many council plans including ‘culture and our city’,” she said.
“Council supports consideration being given to local heritage as part of any new development.”
A spokesman for Arts Minister Don Harwin said the government was working closely with the council to “ensure the new museum forms part of a vibrant Parramatta arts and cultural precinct”.
“The operational requirements of the new museum are not set in stone and projections in the business case are only indicative,” he said.
“The design parameters for the new museum in Parramatta will be sympathetic to the surrounding local heritage.”
The project steering committee will be required to approve details prior to the design competition commencing.
To fight for council’s stance, Parramatta Labor councillor Donna Davis will put a motion forward at next Monday night’s meeting.
She said the council needs a say in the museum, having stood by and watched the project unfold since its relocation was announced by the then-premier Mike Baird in 2015.
“We need a seat at the table. We don’t have a seat but we deserve one,” Cr Davis said.
“We were cut out of any involvement in the business case and that seems ludicrous.
“We understand the people that live, work and visit here and we understand our future. We’re the ones sending plans to the Greater Sydney Commission. Where does it (the museum) sit with our strategy?”
In her three-pronged motion, she wants council’s CBD planning strategy, river strategy and civic link plan addressed in the design, ensuring the development respects its orientation to the city and river.
She wants the two historic sites marked to be included in the museum’s brief. Her final point relates to gaining more information on the property valuations that informed the sale price.
Cr Davis said speaking out came with risks.
She said there was fear when it comes to Parramatta receiving things from the government, that they should just say “yes and thank you”.
“I’ve been told it we don’t take it (the museum), they’ll put it in Blacktown, Penrith or Liverpool. I don’t buy it,” she said.
“There are decisions being made that don’t sit with what the council wanted for the vision of the city.”
She said the council’s city river strategy vision was to create a “river square”, which is why council purchased the Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace sites.
“It would reorientate Parramatta towards the river because, at the moment, it is more oriented to Westfield and the train station.
“There are world-class architects working on it … surely they can do something like what’s been done at The Mint in Macquarie St.”
While Parramatta state Liberal MP Geoff Lee said it was too early to speculate on the historical buildings in jeopardy but said he was a “realist”.
He said the issues surrounding the two historic items had not been solved. He said looking at what is possible and the cost was the focus.
Mr Lee was part of the museum site selection tour which included the David Jones carpark, Arthur Phillip High School, Parramatta Gaol and Mays Hill Cemetery.
“The clincher of the deal was council’s view — they wanted people to be drawn down to the river,” he said.
“Council should be jumping over the moon to get a billion dollar museum … and a million tourists when it’s up and running.”
PREMIER STANDS BY POWERHOUSE MOVE
WHAT YOU SAID
“Two more wonderful heritage buildings in Parramatta threatened by the Gladys wrecking ball and all to whack up 55 storey buildings on the riverbank with a small museum for the public on ground floor.”
North Parramatta Residents Action Group’s Suzette Meade
“Protecting Parramatta’s heritage should be a priority but it looks like the Berejiklian Government’s bulldozers are back in town.”
Parramatta state Labor candidate Liz Scully
“Nearly $150 for a family of four to go and see the planetarium and museum is simply unaffordable.”
Greens MP David Shoebridge
“Once again, the NSW Government is hell bent on developing Parramatta with scant regard for our history. It doesn’t make sense, they’re destroying our heritage for a museum. The stadiums fiasco is depriving our community of a pool, taking away our green space and it’s money much better spent on our hospitals and schools. The NSW Government should wake up to itself and realise the value of Parramatta’s heritage.”
Parramatta federal Labor MP Julie Owens
“We want to encourage people to come back … it’s good to be about lifting patronage and attendance. The simplest way is by offering free entry to the public and charge fees for travelling exhibitions.”
Sydney Business Chamber Western Sydney Director David Borger
FAST FACTS
● General admission will be $15 and a ticket price of $34 for adults, $26 for children for separate entry to the planetarium.
● Three options were considered in the business plans — two of which include the demolition of the two historic buildings.
● The favoured option costs $724 million while the one that retains the history is $767 million.
● With the cost of relocation the collection, it’s expected to cost more than $1.1 billion.
● In its first year of operation, the Parramatta museum is expected to attract 700,000 visitors once it opens in December 2022.
● A design competition will determine what the iconic building will look like.
MUSEUM TIMELINE
● August 2018: Concept design works.
● December 2018: Development application submission.
● August 2019: Commence construction.
● July 2021: MASS collection installation starts.
● December 2022: Museum open.