Powerhouse Museum garden

The Museum Garden and the City Farm project

The Museum has been working to establish a Museum Garden, as a learning and community engagement facility, for some time. The project has been delayed by development proposals which in turn have had an impact on plans for the proposed site, in the Museum car park.

In 2011, the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) which owns part of the car park land, announced plans to reclaim the land for incorporation in a 'linear park' to connect Central railway station to Darling Harbour. This put on hold plans to establish a garden on the site, or for the possibility that the site be used for a much larger urban agriculture proposal, as a site for the City Farm, being developed by the City of Sydney. A feasibility study undertaken by the City had proposed the use of the car park, along with a much larger site at Sydney Park, as a possible two-site 'articulated model' for the proposed Farm.

There have been two recent developments. Plans for the linear park, now known as The Goods Line have now been completed, and were recently approval by the City of Sydney. It is expected that construction will commence in the third quarter of 2013, for completion early in 2014. The plans include two areas designated as the Museum Garden. We plan to work with the local community and other interested groups to make this a place of learning, complementing other Museum programs which address sustainability themes.

The Museum has maintained its engagement with the City of Sydney for the City Farm project. Conscious that the feasibility study for this project proposed a two site model, and recognised the learning and public programming contribution the Museum could make, the Powerhouse has a Memorandum of Understanding with the City to work together to identify a potential city presence. Helen Nicholson, Producer Community Programs and Peter Morton, Manager Strategic Policy and Planning represent the Museum on the City Farm Advisory Group.

In January 2013 the partnership with the City of Sydney created a Summer Garden at Sydney Park at St Peters. This was in place until 24 March, and provided opportunities for volunteers to become city farmers. You can read more about the Summer Garden and the weekend learning programs which were part of the experience at greenvillages.com.au/city-farm-summer-garden

During 2013 the Advisory Group will develop a Business Plan and Master Plan for the City plan, which is planned for construction in 2014-15.

A video of the Summer Garden experience

The Museum's dhub website also features the Summer Garden. Read article

The Sydney Broadsheet has also featured the Garden. Read article

garden

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.