Parramatta Powerhouse Museum could be used for shops and cafes
Shocking plans for the Powerhouse’s relocation to western Sydney will see it being used for apartments, shops, cafes and functions more than a museum, opponents have warned.
Parramatta
Don't miss out on the headlines from Parramatta . Followed categories will be added to My News.
The people of Parramatta are being robbed of a museum because the Powerhouse’s relocation from Ultimo will see it used as a retail and function venue more than an arts and cultural drawcard, opponents have warned.
North Parramatta Residents’ Action Group spokeswoman Suzette Meade said a public webinar consultation session with the museum’s chief executive officer Lisa Havilah this week revealed how the facility would be used for conferences, 40 apartments for scientists visiting the Westmead Hospital precinct, a 60-bed dormitory for school students, a retail and food hall and some exhibition space.
“There was no mention of any museum until someone asked,’’ Ms Meade said.
“What it sounds like we are getting now ... is less and less like a museum and more and more like an industry function space.’’
Ms Meade raised the fresh concerns with Opposition leader Jodi McKay, who said she was stunned the government insisted on spending $1.5 billion on the museum’s relocation despite overwhelming public support for it to remain at Ultimo.
A Powerhouse spokeswoman said the Parramatta museum would be the largest in NSW and occupy 18000sq m.
“Museum exhibition spaces will be supported with space for community events and accommodation for creative residencies by scientists and researchers as well as school groups from regional NSW.”
FLEETING ALTERNATIVE
The North Parramatta Residents’ Action Group has pushed for the government to reallocate the $1.5 billion towards developing North Parramatta’s Fleet Street Heritage Precinct into an arts and cultural hub instead of demolishing the heritage-listed Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace for the Powerhouse.
The group has proposed a Museum of NSW on the site to rival attractions in The Rocks.
“We don’t have a museum to celebrate the premier state and we’ve got so much to tell,’’ Ms Meade said.
“Parramatta really was the cradle city of Australia and we’ve got so many wonderful things to talk about.’’
PARTY POLITICS
Despite NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian endorsing the museum’s relocation, the government remains divided on the issue.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet refused to back the $1.5 billion project in a government briefing to MPs.
Opposition arts spokesman Walt Secord called on Ms Berejiklian to scrap the museum’s relocation.
“The treasurer’s refusal to endorse the Powerhouse Museum move speaks volumes,’’ Mr Secord said.
“Opposition to the massive expenditure continues to mount; there are so many other priorities – and the $1.5 billion is impossible to justify in these tough economic times with tens of thousands unemployed.”
Mr Secord said there was strong opposition to the forced closure of the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo and sale of the site to property developers.
The calls follows Mr Perrottet refusing in a caucus briefing to express his support for the Powerhouse Museum; the recent resignation of the Arts Minister Don Harwin; and the Deputy Premier John Barilaro arguing against the project.
“The premier stubbornly held on to this project for a long-time – and now is the time to let go. It has been five years and no construction has occurred and it is not too late to ditch the Powerhouse Museum and end this fiasco,’’ Mr Secord said.
However, Western Sydney Business Chamber executive director David Borger warned the government against scrapping major projects such as the Powerhouse, Parramatta Light Rail’s second stage and ANZ Stadium during the COVID-19 crisis.
“The NSW Government is not going to support the economic recovery of our state by ripping off western Sydney of the essential infrastructure we need to support our economic revival,” he said.
“We can’t emphasise enough what a game-changer moving the Powerhouse Museum will be to the success of Parramatta as Sydney’s central city. Millions of people will visit the new museum each year helping to turbocharge the city’s visitor economy.
“The relocation of the Powerhouse Museum is about fairness and equity for the people of western Sydney to be able to access some of the cultural institutions that their tax dollars are paying for. The government should not be listening to the inner city whingers who want to keep western Sydney as a cultural wasteland.’’
Make a submission about the Powerhouse Museum at Parramatta by Monday April 20. Write to powerhouse.parramatta@infrastructure.nsw.gov.au