Parramatta: Powerhouse Museum consultation goes online
The public has labelled the government insensitive for expecting feedback on the Powerhouse Museum during the coronavirus lockdown.
Parramatta
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- Gladys Berejiklian ignores questions about Parramatta’s heritage
- Willow Grove to be destroyed
- Powerhouse Museum in a flood zone
The State Government’s plans to proceed with public feedback into the Powerhouse Museum’s relocation to Parramatta during the “biggest crisis since World War II” has sparked outrage.
North Parramatta Residents’ Action Group said the “postcards’’ were letterbox-dropped yesterday and informed the community about cancelling physical public consultation because of the social distancing rules.
However, it still encouraged online submissions.
NPRAG spokeswoman Suzette Meade said the move was a “slap in the face”.
“The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences is forging ahead asking the community while in the middle of extreme uncertainty about their jobs, keeping their home and just staying alive during a worldwide pandemic,’’ she said.
Ms Meade called for the public meetings to be suspended until it was safe to meet.
“Does the Premier seriously expect the people of Sydney to discuss spending $1.5 billion dollars to unnecessarily relocate a museum while people are losing their lives?”
“The Premier’s decision to go ahead with the Powerhouse Museum project while the country is being confronted by a pandemic, is totally irresponsible, inappropriate and incredibly insensitive.’’
The government has come under fire for planning to build the museum on a floodplain along the Parramatta River banks and bulldozing Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace to build the structure that has been labelled a “monstrosity on stilts”.
Moreau Kusunoki and Genton are designing the cultural hub.
Parramatta councillor Donna Davis echoed Ms Meade’s remarks.
“We deserve better than to be consulted for this project in the midst of the worst crisis since World War II,’’ she said.
“Our community wants to Save Willow Grove but to be expected to make submissions while thousands are queuing at Centrelink, parents are trying to homeschool their kids and everyone is frightened about what’s happening next re their health, lockdowns, further job losses is simply flabbergasting.”
But a spokesman for NSW Arts Minister Don Harwin said the government would still proceed with the digital consultation.
“This ensures our $97 billion infrastructure program, which is delivering economically and socially important infrastructure and supporting jobs, can continue to progress,’’ he said.
An Infrastructure NSW spokeswoman said several projects would now use digital technology to “ensure our infrastructure program remains on track during this challenging period”.
The feedback will be used to inform the preparation of the required Environmental Impact Statement for the museum.
The statement will be placed on public exhibition and another engagement program will follow.
