Heritage advocates and union members have flocked to the site of Willow Grove, after construction workers were spotted commencing dismantling works yesterday afternoon.
A green ban by the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CMFEU) has remained in place on the site in a bid to prevent demolition works.
Community members were shocked to see workers entering the historic building, after receiving assurances from NSW Heritage Minister Don Harwin on two major news channels that the NSW government would not commence works just yet, as they awaited NPRAG to lodge an appeal.
Residents since converged on 34 Phillip Street overnight to keep watch after putting the call out to the CMFEU that its green ban had been breached.
“It’s a low dog act on the community in Parramatta and an underhanded move by heartless Harwin,” NPRAG spokesperson Suzette Meade said.
The 19th century Victorian Italianate Villa is slated to be demolished and relocated to make way for the Powerhouse Parramatta development, which received State Government planning approval earlier this year.
Members of the North Parramatta Residents Action Group (NPRAG) took Infrastructure NSW to the Land and Environment Court in a bid to save the historic building, however last Wednesday Justice Tim Moore ruled in favour of Infrastructure NSW.
NPRAG has 28 days to appeal the ruling.
“Last night we instructed our Barrister Tim Hale to lodge an appeal to Justice Moore’s verdict and an injunction to stop works at Willow Grove immediately,” Ms Meade said.
“This is an attack on the heritage of not just Parramatta, but all of NSW.
“The community, with the support of the unions behind us, will fight this until we save Willow Grove.”
A spokesperson for Infrastructure NSW told Parra News all work on site is being undertaken in accordance with the approved State Significant Development Application and development consent conditions.
“The CFMEU’s green ban is an action that has no legal standing,” the spokesperson said.
“The NSW Government is delivering western Sydney’s first major cultural institution, Parramatta Powerhouse.
“In accordance with the State Significant Development Approval Willow Grove will not be retained on site.
“We remain committed to relocating Willow Grove, to return it to the community and protect it for future generations.”
An injuction has since been granted, pausing works until an appeals hearing on July 2.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.