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Question and Answer Tracking Details

1147 - Arts - POWERHOUSE MUSEUM ULTIMO

Borsak, Robert to the Special Minister of State, Minister for Roads, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, and Minister for Jobs and Tourism

(1) Can the Minister advise, who is managing the process for the Powerhouse Museum Ultimo options that are going to Cabinet?

(a) What expertise does the person(s) have in very large museum planning?

(b) When will the options for Powerhouse Museum Ultimo be presented?

(c) What are the architectural and cultural briefs underpinning that process?

(d) Are the briefs available for the public to view?

(i) If yes, where can they be viewed?

(ii) If not, why not?

(2) Have the various briefs underpinning that process been based on the completed Alan Croker Conservation Management Plan and the later Robertson and Hindmarsh heritage assessment?

(a) If not, why not?

(b) What was the Conservation Management Plan basis for all the subsequent briefs?

(c) Why was Alan Croker not asked to complete his work with recommendations?

(3) Which expert engineer is providing the analysis of the current state of the Wran 1988 project structures?

(a) Which expert engineer is providing analysis for the necessary upgrades required to future proof those structures and any enhancements/replacements needed in respect of services?

(4) Who has defined the brief for these experts?

(a) Are the briefs available for the public to view?

(i) If yes, where can they be viewed?

(ii) If not, why not?
Answer -

(1) On 2 September 2023, the NSW Government announced that it is delivering on its election commitment to save the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo and preserve the Wran legacy. $250 million has been committed for a heritage revitalisation of the Museum. The government will undertake further consultation with staff, the arts and culture sector, business and creative industries groups, the education sector, peak bodies, expert advisors, local community, and the public on the details and timing of the project. The details will become known in due course as part of the NSW planning process.

(2) In June 2022, a Draft Conservation Management Plan was submitted to the Department of Planning and Environment as part of the Stage 1 SSDA for Powerhouse Ultimo. The 2022CMP is reflective of changes that have occurred since 2003 to both the Powerhouse site and NSW heritage and planning legislation. The new Powerhouse Museum, Ultimo CMP will guide future heritage and revitalisation works.

(3) Following the announcement on 2 September, Infrastructure NSW will procure qualified engineers to guide the revitalisation of Powerhouse Ultimo in line with the Conservation Management Plan and current heritage and planning legislation.

(4) Plans, briefs, reports and any other documentation or information produced by the project team that will be required to seek planning approval for the revitalisation works from the Department of Planning will be made publicly available as part of the planning approvals process.

Question asked on 24 August 2023 (session 58-1) and published in Questions & Answers Paper No. 77
Answer received on 14 September 2023 and published in Questions & Answers Paper No. 92

The Parliament of New South Wales acknowledges and respects the traditional lands of all Aboriginal people, and pays respects to all Elders past and present. We acknowledge the Gadigal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which the Parliament of New South Wales stands.