Powerhouse Museum garden

It has been some time since we posted fresh information about the development of a Museum Garden.  However there has been much 'behind the scenes' activity.

In the first half of this year we invited residents, school children, businesses and organisations in the local  community to complete a questionnaire or offer feedback on what they would like  to see in a  Museum Garden.  We've now analysed the responses, and these are now posted on this site for your information.  We thank everyone for taking time to offer their thoughts, and their enthusiasm for this project.

Two recent, significant outcomes have a bearing on the development of the proposed Museum Garden. In October the City of Sydney announced the outcomes of its community consultation to investigate the feasibility to establish a City Farm.  The feasibility study recommended a 'two site' approach, with one site at Sydney Park in St Peters and another site on the Powerhouse Museum's redundant car park.  The Sydney Park site would have room for animals and large scale food production while the Museum site would focus on food production through education and public programs.  The City has approved funds to develop a Business Case for the development of the City Farm but is still to advise on the detailed Terms of Reference for the City Farm Advisory Group. 

In December the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) announced the outcome of a tender process to design the Ultimo Pedestrian Network (UPN), which will extend from the Devonshire Street Railway tunnel and connect UTS, the ABC and cross Ultimo Road via the disused railway bridge to provide a connection to the Frank Gehry design UTS Business School, now under construction.  The UPN will then extend through the Museum's redundant carpark and provide a connection to the Entertainment Centre carpark and Haymarket.

The tender has been awarded to landscape architects Aspect Studio, in partnership with architects Choi Ropiha.  Aspect Studio was responsible for the design of Pirrama Park in Pyrmont, and the water play park in the new Darling Quarter development at Darling Harbour.  Choi Ropiha was responsible for the design of the amenity pavilions at Ballast Point Park in Balmain.  This is an innovative and exciting team, and we look forward to working with them and the wider community on the consultation for the design of this important 'linear park'.

SHFA is responsible for managing the development of the Park, and it is anticipated will develop an approach to community consultation in the New Year.  A significant goal for this project is the need to provide a connection to the Gehry Building, which is due for completion at the end of 2013.

A challenge for the Powerhouse and for those who have participated in the Museum Garden and City Farm consultation processes will be to see those views incorporated into the detailed design for the linear park, and in particular that section formerly used as the Museum carpark.  Part of this land is owned by SHFA, and part is owned by the Museum, and the design process will determine whether spaces are available to establish a City Farm component that is viable within the Business Case to be developed by the City, or whether a more modest project of the scale anticipated when the Museum Garden was first canvassed can be included. We will keep you informed of progress on these two significant planning projects.

Find out more

Your opinion is important to us
If you live in the neighbouring Ultimo, Pyrmont and Chinatown areas, we'd like to hear what you think about the Powerhouse Museum garden, and how it could benefit your family and community. Email your feedback at anytime to garden@phm.gov.au. We look forward to hearing from you!

pdf Click here for the summary results of the Powerhouse Museum Community Garden research.