Image: AAP Image, Bianca de Marchi
by GRACE JOHNSON
Community action groups have joined forces to mount a petition to keep the Powerhouse Museum open, which is due to close for three years in February.
Minister for Arts John Graham had declared in a media release on September 2, 2023 that “We promised at the election that we would …keep the Powerhouse Museum open. We are doing just that.”
The Save the Powerhouse Campaign, Pyrmont Action Inc. and Friends of Ultimo have come together to call on the minister to keep his promises.
As City Hub has previously reported, the museum has been caught up in almost 9 years of controversy regarding plans for its relocation, demolition and development. The closure is yet another disappointment to the community.
In addition, advocates are concerned that if the Powerhouse is shut, it may never reopen.
The recent announcement to close the Ultimo museum to undertake $250 million worth of building and conservation work was met with criticism, part of which was due to the Minns Government halving the rebuild allocation funds (originally $500 million).
The state government has claimed that a temporary closure will incur less costs, reduce the disruption period, and minimise the chances of a “compromised” visitor experience.
But concerns have been raised about the actual length of the museum closure. While Arts Minister John Graham said the building and conservation works are expected to take three years and that the museum may not reopen until 2027, the building works are less than half funded in the next four years.
Revitalisation plans remain concealed
In a joint statement, the three action groups said, “If the Museum closes in February it will not re-open for many years, if ever and not in its current form as one of the most revered Science and Technology Museums in the world.”
In a document titled Labor’s Ten Broken Promises on the Powerhouse Museum, and More, museum expert and consultant Kylie Winkworth writes: “There is no museum plan and no plan for renewal of the exhibitions – if that is even intended.”
“Labor is rushing to close the PHM for what might be ten years on the basis of a single media release and a few concept images, while everyone is on holidays, and before any plans are lodged or approved, let alone consultation.”
“This is a deeply cynical action. Once the plans are on exhibition objections will be futile because the museum will already be closed and its collections and major exhibitions removed, once and for all.”
Advocates consider the closure of the Powerhouse Museum to be “completely unjustified”, with museum experts advising that necessary maintenance and repairs to the building can easily be carried out while keeping the Museum open.
Ms Winkworth says, “There is no credible reason for closing the Powerhouse Museum in the absence of any actual plans for the ‘heritage revitalisation’.”
Despite the Minns Government’s claims that the beloved Ultimo museum is saved, the ‘Revitalisation’ plans are yet to be revealed, and the threat of permanent exhibitions being removed remains.
The petition can be viewed and signed here.
This much-loved (world-wide) Museum must remain open, its fragile large exhibits remain in place, and renewal undertaken under the guidance of experienced museum curators. We don’t need yet another function centre, featuring a few dresses. Where’s the magic in that for our kids and grandkids?