Sydney's Powerhouse Museum to relocate to Parramatta

In a widely anticipated announcement, the NSW Government has revealed that the Powerhouse Museum is to be relocated from its current location in the Sydney inner city suburb of Ultimo to an arts and cultural precinct in Western Sydney.

As part of a series of pre NSW election campaign announcements being made NSW Premier Mike Baird, the relocation of the Powerhouse Museum to the Western Sydney commercial hub of Parramatta forms part of a plan by the NSW Government to boost cultural offerings outside of central Sydney.

The plan includes an injection of more than $30 million over the next four years to grow the arts and cultural sector, including an additional $10 million to relocate the Powerhouse Museum and an additional $7.5 million to support local artists.

Premier Baird stated “this will be the first time one of the State’s five major cultural institutions will be entirely located in Western Sydney.

“$10 million will be used to develop a business case for the Museum’s relocation to ensure it remains the interactive and vibrant place enjoyed by children and families.

“A design competition will be held to decide the final look and fit-out of the new museum, and we’ll guarantee the proceeds from the urban renewal of the existing site in Ultimo will go toward the new museum in Parramatta.

“Our plan also includes $800,000 to attract a resident company for the Riverside Theatre in partnership with Parramatta Council, which will play a key role in developing performances for local communities.

The likely location for the relocated Museum will be on the site of the Old Kings School in Parramatta.

Currently less than 5% of funding for arts in Sydney goes to the west of the city.

The Powerhouse Museum, which has been in Ultimo since 1988, houses a collection of more than 400,000 objects dating all the way back to 1880.

Operating primarily as a science museum, the Powerhouse also includes a collection reflecting Australia’s history in decorative arts, transport, costumes and media, alongside science, technology, communications, transport and space.

Speaking about the potential move last year, Western Sydney’s Business Chamber Director David Borger stated “the Powerhouse, with its focus on science and design, is more likely to be visited by students than tourists.

“If the museum is serious about increasing student visitation, then a move to the west makes great sense.”

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