Powerhouse set to stay open but government promises Parramatta will get a world class museum

The state government has all but confirmed the Powerhouse Museum will not be closed down in Ultimo and only some of its exhibits are likely to be sent to a new museum planned for Parramatta.

Artist impression of the proposed Powerhouse Museum to be built in Parramatta. Picture: Supplied

The state government has all but confirmed the Powerhouse Museum will not be closed down in Ultimo and only some of its exhibits are likely to be sent to a new museum planned for Parramatta.

Parramatta Council’s general manager Greg Dyer has previously told the Advertiser if the museum were not moved lock stock and barrel to Parramatta it would not be a good outcome.

In a call for public opinions on the proposed new museum at Parramatta, Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said on Tuesday afteernoon what he called an expanded final business case now being considered “could include keeping some Powerhouse presence at the current site in Ultimo”.

Previous Premier Mike Baird came up with the original plan to close the Ultimo site, sell it to developers and move all exhibits to a new purpose-built Musuem of Arts and Applied Science in Parramatta.

But since new Premier Berejiklian took the reins of government there has been much talk about a cut down museum being built in Parramatta and that now seems to be the approach the government is taking.

Minister Harwin said the government wanted to ensure what he called “the new world-class museum in Parramatta” was designed with input from the people of western Sydney.

“A final business case to be released later this year will expand on options for the new Parramatta museum. This could include keeping some Powerhouse presence at the current site in Ultimo,” Mr Harwin said.

He did promise, “the new Parramatta museum will be on the cutting edge of science and innovation, bringing the very best to a booming western Sydney”.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and local member for Parramatta Geoff Lee

“The NSW Government is committed to building a truly iconic museum in western Sydney and we want it to be one the community can proudly call their own.”

Mr Harwin said the new museum would be the flagship campus for the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, which also has sites at Castle Hill and Millers Point.

MP for Parramatta Geoff Lee said the expanded business case would ensure western Sydney was getting the best possible museum.

Mr Lee said negotiations with Parramatta Council for the proposed Riverbank site were progressing.

“This project represents a significant investment in cultural opportunities, jobs and economic growth to western Sydney by the NSW Government,” Mr Lee said.

“The new museum will bring vast cultural opportunities, jobs and economic growth to the region during and before its expected opening in 2022.”

Museum of Applied Arts and Science Trust chairman Professor Barney Glover said the expanded business case showed the importance of the arts and culture to the NSW Government.

“The MAAS Trust remains committed to working with Government to realise investment in MAAS and deliver on the vision for world class facilities in Parramatta and across all MAAS venues, now and into the future,” Professor Glover said.