Wednesday 24th of April 2024
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why fiddle with a perfectly good museum?…...

New $500 million scoping plans for the Powerhouse at Ultimo have been condemned as an attempt to transform the museum into an entertainment centre by the overwhelming majority of public submissions.

Only six of 104 public submissions backed the concept plans for the 2.4-hectare site that potentially allow for a new public square, entrance, and a multistorey annex on the museum’s Harris Street forecourt.

The International Council of Museums made one of the 91 objections lodged with the Department of Planning: “This looks to be the removal rather than the redevelopment of a Museum,” its vice chair Alex Marsden said.

Local community group Pyrmont Action said: “It is clear that the primary purpose of this so-called ‘renewal’ is for the Powerhouse at Ultimo to operate as a glorified function and exhibition centre – for hire.”

 

But the Commissioner of the 24-Hour Economy, Michael Rodrigues, said the Powerhouse had played a significant role in promoting a vibrant and diverse nighttime economy and would do so in the future under such plans.

Museum chief executive Lisa Havilah said the planning framework would support bold ideas from Australian design teams to bring together the many layers of history, from First Nations to the museum’s establishment on site in 1988.

“The renewal of the Powerhouse will expand the exhibition spaces and support the delivery of new exhibitions that will engage audiences with the Powerhouse collections in new ways. Not only will it be the Powerhouse, but it will be a better, expanded Powerhouse.”

The museum’s concept environmental impact statement has been released for public comment ahead of a national design competition, expected to be called this month, for the renewal of the home of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences.

Though not prescribing any specific proposal, the statement and accompanying documents show what’s possible on the site in an approach similar to that adopted for the $915 million Parramatta Powerhouse.

 

READ MORE:

https://www.smh.com.au/culture/art-and-design/glorified-function-centre-powerhouse-plans-condemned-in-public-submissions-20220729-p5b5t0.html

 

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 *Crummy poem by Robert Urbanoski

not worth the paper of a handshake…...

NRL boss insists NSW premier ‘blatantly reneged’ on handshake deal        By Sarah Keoghan

 

To state news briefly, and NRL boss Peter V’landys has claimed Dominic Perrottet “blatantly reneged” on a handshake deal made inside the NSW premier’s office earlier this year.

Speaking 2GB earlier this morning, the Australian Rugby League Commission chair said he and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo met with the premier “a couple of months ago” to discuss funding for community stadiums.

While discussing previously promised funding for suburban grounds, V’landys claimed Perrottet looked him in the eye and said: “Trust me, I will honour the deal.”

Sources close to the talks say the NRL was promised a $250 million package.

“He said to me and Andrew Abdo, please be assured I will deliver,” V’landys told 2GB. “We’ve done a deal and I will get it through for you.

“When you need to do a deal and you shake someone’s hand, you honour that agreement.”

The NRL is now exploring its legal options.

The decision may also reignite discussions between the NRL and Queensland government over the future of the grand final. The NRL has previously suggested the location of the event hinges on the level of investment in Sydney stadiums.

V’landys says he is also angered by the fact Perrottet has said the deal has been pulled because additional funding is needed to help with recent floods.

“To take the cake, they use the human tragedy of the floods to spin their way out on why they’re reneging on it. It takes it to another level.”

 

 

READ MORE:

https://www.smh.com.au/national/australia-news-live-rba-flags-hit-to-economy-jobs-after-lifting-interest-rates-again-liberals-to-oppose-climate-bill-20220802-p5b6od.html

 

READ FROM TOP.

 

MEANWHILE:

 

Dominic Perrottet’s sword may have fallen in the wrong place, but it certainly fell in the predictable place – the scalp of a junior female minister (“Perrottet’s sword fell in wrong place”, August 2). Eleni Petinos was put to the sword on the basis of an anonymous complaint and undisclosed “further matters”. No due process, no presumption of innocence. Stuart Ayres’ actions on one view seem to fall into the category of blokes helping out other blokes. The fact that Ayres and Perrottet condone this behaviour demonstrates that the Liberal Party still has a “man” problem. 

Elfriede Sangkuhl, Summer Hill 

 

If the premier can sack a minister after making his own inquiries, why does it take two separate inquiries for him to form a view about the real story behind John Barilaro’s appointment to the trade post in New York? 

Bill Plastiras, Vaucluse

 

If Eleni Petinos had been a man, would she have been sacked for bullying or just regarded as a strong leader? 

Sue Martin, Clareville

 

Amidst all the turmoil of the selection of the New York trade commissioner, the machinations and the current unravelling, it is worth remembering that the careers of two highly competent, professional women were considered to be of no consequence (“Hanging by a thread”, August 2). 

Carolyn Little, Mortdale

 

READ MORE:

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/old-boys-club-lives-on-as-women-leaders-cast-aside-20220802-p5b6hr.html

 

 

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