NSW Budget: Powerhouse Museum, Sydney Modern in funding boost

The controversial Powerhouse Museum development has received a major funding boost in the NSW State Budget along with several other major arts projects including the Sydney Modern.

Plans for the Parramatta Powerhouse Museum.

A massive $269 million in funding has been injected into the controversial plans for the new Powerhouse Museum in Parramatta as part of this year’s NSW State Budget.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet’s 2020-21 budget also announced the allocation of hundreds of millions of dollars in funding to both the Parramatta and Castle Hill Discovery Centre.

Arts Minister Don Harwin said cultural sectors across the state were set for a major boost in this year’s budget.

Revised concept plans for the Parramatta Powerhouse Museum.

“Our Arts and Cultural Funding Program will continue to provide opportunities for organisations, artists and workers across a wide range of artforms,” he said. “We are boosting our Made in NSW fund to a record $175 million over the next five years so we can continue to attract international productions and ensure we keep our competitive edge as a world-class destination for film and television.

“Since the fund was established in 2016 it has injected more $900 million into the State’s economy through local production and supported more than 26,000 jobs on international productions and local television drama series, and there is more to come.”

The Sydney Modern will also receive funding.

The cash injection for the long-debated arts project is part of hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for arts and culture across the state, including $199.6 million for the Sydney Modern Project and $129 million for the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct.