In 2018, the NSW Government revealed a plan to demolish two heritage buildings, Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace, to make way for the relocation of Ultimo’s Powerhouse Museum to a new Parramatta site.
Built in the 1870s, Willow Grove is a rich example of Victorian Italianate architecture, first as a private two-storey villa and subsequently serving as a maternity hospital. Its sister building, St George’s Terrace, is similarly historically significant as a representation of modern Victorian period terraces, constructed throughout the early development of Parramatta.
The historic buildings were teetering on the edge of a demolition plan, to be replaced by a revamped Powerhouse Museum until the CFMEU announced a Green Ban, prohibiting any works to be conducted on the heritage-listed sites.
Members of the local community recently installed a Guerrilla Gallery to voice their concerns and displeasure at the proposed State Government construction (or deconstruction) project. Creatives banned together in a colourful armada, including a collection of street artists and yarn bombers, in a vivid rebuttal to the proposed plans.
However, despite public support from local councillors, a day before a select committee of NSW’s Upper House was arranged to visit and examine these locations, witnesses have alleged that council workers have visited the site in the early hours of the morning to remove small elements of the artworks and installations.
“They have only removed elements containing the words ‘Save Willow Grove’, ‘Save St. George’s Terrace’ and ‘CFMEU Green Ban’ as well as the colourful yarn bombing” Said one local business owner.
Parramatta City Council has confirmed they were acting under instruction from Create NSW (the current custodians of the land) and an internal inquiry has been lodged.
After receiving a negative response regarding the censorship of these installations, council has returned a 2nd time to remove the remaining artworks.
