Labor has announced it will not proceed with a costly rebuild of Willow Grove in Parramatta.
It follows comments from Heritage experts that a rebuild would be an act of “fake heritage”.
The former Liberal Government demolished Willow Grove in late 2021, with the promise of rebuilding the heritage mansion at an alternative site.
The demolition occurred as a result of the Powerhouse Parramatta build.
Labor claims it has now been revealed the former Liberal Government never allocated funds for the reconstruction. The former government never resolved an alternative site.
“It was a tragedy that Willow Grove was demolished, particularly against the community’s strong wishes to preserve it. However now that it’s been pulled down, it’s a terrible idea to try to rebuild it,” said Arts Minister John Graham.
“More than that, the former government did not allocate funds or find a site for reconstruction, despite their promises that Willow Grove would be rebuilt.
“Given the heritage and broader community are strongly telling us that attempting to rebuild the beloved Willow Grove would be a bad use of taxpayer money – that it would be a “fake heritage” – and that there’s no money to do so, today we are drawing a line under this sorry saga. Willow Grove will not be rebuilt.
“The government will focus on heritage sites in Parramatta – such as the Roxy Theatre.
“Willow Grove had historical significance as a key site of female and First Nations history in the area, as well as an important site in the history of nursing and midwifery in NSW. Innovative and creative solutions should be found to honour those histories.”
Willow Grove was built between 1870 and 1880 and formerly sat at 34 Phillip Street, Parramatta.
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