Part of the Powerhouse Museum's incredible collection can now be displayed in Sydney's Hills district following the approval of a $36 million expansion of the Museums Discovery Centre.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the new state-of-the-art facility built on the Castle Hill site will increase the Museum's accessible storage space by 30%, allowing for better community acess to even more classic Powerhouse artefacts.
"This means the entire 500,000-piece Powerhouse collection will be housed and cared for on one site when not on display at Parramatta or Ultimo," Mr Stokes said.
"Whether you want to see the amazing collection of vintage cars, such as the classic Morris Minor, intricate textiles or NASA's 2011 Curiosity Mars Rover, this display represents the great stories of Australian ingenuity."
Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said this new facility will cement the Discovery Centre's position as a key pillar of the Powerhouse Museum, alongside the jewel in the crown - the Powerhouse Parramatta.
"The expansion of the Museums Discovery Centre will increase opportunities for community and education programs, temporary exhibitions, tours and events for the people of NSW," Mr Harwin said.
"The facilities will also provide more opportunities for research and conservation work on the Powerhouse collection."
Member for Castle Hill Ray Williams said the expansion will boost public access to the site which is shared with the Australian Museum and Sydney Living Museums.
"This bolsters Castle Hill's position as a cultural destination with three fantastic institutions on one site to entice visitors from across Sydney," Mr Williams said.
The expansion of the Museums Discovery Centre in Castle Hill is designed by Lahznimmo Architects.
