The Powerhouse Museum's Ultimo site has been entirely heritage listed, securing its future as a museum and preventing any potential sale or commercial development. This decision marks a significant victory for the museum and its supporters, who have long campaigned for its preservation.
The heritage listing encompasses the Wran Building, the Galleria, and the Harwood Building, safeguarding them against any future changes to the redevelopment plans. The current Labor government is already underway with plans to restore the entire complex, renovate the outdoor spaces, and reorientate the entrance of the building towards Haymarket and the CBD.
The museum's CEO, Lisa Havilah, expressed her excitement about the listing, stating that it secures the museum's future and the precinct's future in its location in Ultimo. Bob Debus, chair of the Ultimo Heritage Revitalisation Reference Group, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the listing ensures the museum's continued existence and paves the way for a brilliant new facility.
With the Ultimo site's future secured, work is now progressing on the Parramatta Powerhouse, which is expected to be completed by the end of next year. The museum has already emptied more than 3,000 objects from the Ultimo site, and the government is looking to appoint a builder by the end of the year to commence work on the Ultimo redevelopment next year.