MEDIA RELEASE March 2, 2015
An online petition launched by Greens Member for Balmain, Jamie Parker MP, calling on the Liberal government to stop its sale of the Powerhouse building has collected 500 signatures in just a few days, highlighting community anger over the move.
“Sydneysiders are shocked and deeply disappointed that the Powerhouse building is to be sold off to developers and turned into private apartments.
“The community is shocked and deeply disappointed that the Powerhouse building is to be sold off to developers and turned into private apartments.
“This building is a major icon in the Sydney landscape and we need to keep it in public hands. This proposed sell-off has happened with very little community consultation.
“It’s clear that Western Sydney does need more arts funding, which The Greens support. However, the public shouldn’t be forced to give up this historic building to developers in order for this to happen,” said Mr Parker.
A sample of comments posted by people who signed the petition:
“The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences has been located in Ultimo for more than a hundred years; the Ultimo Powerhouse is an important inner city industrial heritage site. We must not treat our cultural institutions and sites as disposable assets.”
“This should not be presented as an us and them situation. You don’t enhance the cultural life of Western Sydney by closing down a much-loved institution in the city. This is about a land grab – pure and simple.”
“Unbelievable! How many children adore going to the Powerhouse Museum? How many inner west schools take their kids on regular excursions there?”
“I am very concerned that this is a short term gain purely to benefit property developers and not the whole community in the long term which the government is elected to protect. Where is the strategy?”
The petition can be seen here:
http://www.jamieparker.org/no_privatisation_keep_the_powerhouse_petition
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