The New South Wales government has scrapped an A$481 million rebuild of Powerhouse Ultimo, instead opting for a $250m “heritage revitalisation” of the existing museum.
The remaining $230m will go towards new school and hospital projects as families in New South Wales “are facing rampant inflation, as well as rising energy and housing costs”, a press release from the NSW government says.
Arts minister John Graham said: “We promised at the election that we would preserve the Wran legacy and keep the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo open. We are doing just that.
“The area around the Powerhouse Museum Ultimo has changed extensively since the museum opened in 1988. It is now a major hub for creative industries, technology, innovation, education, and research.
“This prudent investment allows us to save the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo and preserve the Wran legacy in a tough fiscal environment.
“We have responded to community calls for a more modest redevelopment, saving the Powerhouse Museum and preserving the Wran legacy with a $250m heritage redevelopment.”
The former government allocated $481m for a Powerhouse Ultimo redevelopment project, which involved demolishing the 1988 Wran building.
In December, Powerhouse Ultimo announced the winning architectural design for its rebuild. This included expanded exhibition spaces, a new public square and creative studios.
“More modest redevelopment” for NSW museum
Powerhouse’s chief executive Lisa Havilah said the design honoured the museum’s history and heritage “whilst simultaneously reimagining how we can continue to engage our communities into the future”.
In addition to Powerhouse Ultimo’s revitalisation, a new flagship museum called Powerhouse Parramatta is being developed in western Sydney.
Powerhouse Parramatta is the largest cultural infrastructure project in New South Wales since the Sydney Opera House. It will also be the largest museum in the state at 30,000 square metres.
Images courtesy of Powerhouse Museum
