The NSW Minns Labor Government will not proceed with a costly rebuild of Willow Grove in Parramatta, following comments from Heritage experts that a rebuild would be an act of "fake heritage".
The former Liberal Government demolished Willow Grove in late 2021, with the promise of rebuilding the heritage mansion at an alternative site.
It has now been revealed the former Liberal Government never allocated funds for the reconstruction.
The former government never resolved an alternative site.
Moving forward the Minns Labor Government has outlined three priorities to address the Parramatta community cultural and heritage needs:
- Supporting the new Powerhouse Museum at Parramatta to appropriately engage with the heritage of their site.
- Working with local community to consider the options to secure the Roxy Theatre for future generations. This includes developing a comprehensive Final Business Case for reactivating the venue.
- Seek advice from the heritage and local community stakeholders the best way for the materials from Willow Grove to be used.
Minister for the Arts, John Graham said:
"It was a tragedy that Willow Grove was demolished, particularly against the community's strong wishes to preserve it. However now that it's been pulled down, it's a terrible idea to try to rebuild it.
"More than that, the former government did not allocate funds or find a site for reconstruction, despite their promises that Willow Grove would be rebuilt.
"Given the heritage and broader community are strongly telling us that attempting to rebuild the beloved Willow Grove would be a bad use of taxpayer money - that it would be a "fake heritage" - and that there's no money to do so, today we are drawing a line under this sorry saga. Willow Grove will not be rebuilt.
"The government will focus on heritage sites in Parramatta - such as the Roxy Theatre.
"Willow Grove had historical significance as a key site of female and First Nations history in the area, as well as an important site in the history of nursing and midwifery in NSW. Innovative and creative solutions should be found to honour those histories.
Background:
- Willow Grove was built between 1870 and 1880 and formerly sat at 34 Phillip Street, Parramatta. It was deconstructed to make way for the Powerhouse Parramatta, currently under construction and due to open in 2025.
- Community groups had long opposed the deconstruction of Willow Grove.
- In November 2021, the Willow Grove Community Reference Group was formed to work in partnership with community and stakeholder groups on the relocation and use of Willow Grove.
- April 2022, the National Trust withdrew from the Willow Grove Community Reference Group, citing concerns that the mansion could not be authentically reconstructed.
- Prior to deconstruction, the condition of Willow Grove was extensively recorded by Create NSW. Willow Grove was carefully catalogued, dismantled and all building elements safely placed into secure storage. The collection includes items of local heritage importance, including the slate roofing, windows, the front door, timber framing and stairs, the front fence and over 90 per cent of the original bricks.
- The Powerhouse Museum Parramatta has developed a heritage interpretation plan of the site. This plan includes the development of collaborative projects with First Nations communities. In relation to Willow Grove the following interpretation work will be delivered;
- Sandstone- reinstatement of sandstone flooring from an original Willow Grove outhouse will be installed in the flooring of the undercroft. The sandstone flooring will be complemented by interpretive text panels outlining the history of the site including Willow Grove and its associated buildings.
- Object Stories- archaeological relics (bottles, plates, teapots) excavated in the area surrounding Willow Grove will be accessioned into the Powerhouse collection. Displays of these objects will be utilised in Powerhouse programming and they will be digitised on the Powerhouse website along with further information on their origins
- Mixed Use- Powerhouse will publish a book on the history of the Powerhouse Parramatta site. The book will tell the story of the site, its development and the people who inhabited it. This will include Willow Grove- its construction, uses and changes that occurred over time. A series of oral histories will be recorded that will form an ongoing living archive that will be accessible online and through the Powerhouse Research Library.
