Parramatta’s Willow Grove relocation plan scrapped permanently

Heritage supporters have welcomed a decision to scrap the reconstruction of historic villa Willow Grove – and save taxpayers millions of dollars against ‘fake heritage’. Find out their next step.

Willow Grove won’t be rebuilt. Picture: Monique Harmer

Heritage advocates have accepted a government decision to scrap the reconstruction of historic villa Willow Grove, which was dismantled in 2021 to make way for the Parramatta Powerhouse Museum despite a huge community campaign to save it.

The former Liberal government planned to relocate the former maternity hospital brick by brick but had not settled on a location for its new home in Parramatta while its remains were locked in a Wetherill Park storage facility.

Heritage advocates and Labor never supported dismantling the Phillip St landmark, which cost $7m and would have cost even more to rebuild.

The Construction Forestry Maritime Mining Energy Union estimated it would cost $25m to create a replica but funds had not been allocated.

Arts Minister John Graham echoed heritage experts’ stance that rebuilding the mansion would have been an act of “fake heritage’’.

The elegant Willow Grove was dismantled against the community's wishes. Picture: Monique Harmer

“It was a tragedy that Willow Grove was demolished, particularly against the community’s strong wishes to preserve it,’’ he said.

“However now that it’s been pulled down, it’s a terrible idea to try to rebuild it.’’

A suggestion to relocate Willow Grove near the Parramatta Gaol was entertained but an alternative site was never determined.

Last year, the National Trust criticised the proposal and said it could not be authentically reconstructed.

Parramatta state Labor MP Donna Davis, who campaigned to save Willow Grove from the bulldozers, said: “Without a potential site finalised, it is impossible to say how much reconstruction would cost, but safe to say it would be much more to rebuild than to deconstruct.

“We can’t undo the destruction of Willow Grove but I will work hard to ensure there is a thoughtful and significant heritage interpretation installed at the site (of the museum) on Phillip St.’’

The remains of Willow Grove in October 2021.

Parramatta Powerhouse plans to house some of the villa’s remains when it opens in 2025, including the toilet’s sandstone flooring for the museum’s undercroft.

North Parramatta Residents’ Action Group spokeswoman Suzette Meade slammed the use of the “dunny stone floors”.

“An enduring commemoration of Willow Grove’s story from home to hospital – and its passionate community battle to save – it must occur,’’ she said.

“But the Powerhouse Museum’s proposal to install Willow Grove’s old dunny stone floors into the flood mitigation walls on the river to remember the villa is just simply disrespectful.’’

North Parramatta Action Group spokeswoman Suzette Meade in April 2021 before Willow Grove and the Riverside carpark was demolished. Picture: Monique Harmer

Ms Meade said NPRAG – which drove the fight to save Willow Grove – would lobby the Minns Government to change legislation so Parramatta’s heritage did not face the same fate as the villa.

“We will be emphasising the priority to the Minns Government of Parramatta’s heritage as an untapped visitor economy and its value to the state,’’ she said.

That included the proposal for the 26 hectares between Parramatta Gaol and Parramatta Female Factory to become a botanic garden precinct.

The government has listed the Roxy Theatre as one of its priorities following the Willow Grove announcement.

It wants to work with the community to consider options and include the development of a final business case for reactivating the venue.

As par of an election promise, both major parties vowed to restore the art deco theatre on George St. The Liberals promised to acquire the 93-year-old building which is privately owned.

Owner David Kingston bought it in 2002 and has plans to convert it into a 24-hour pub, nightclub with pokies.