Powerhouse Ultimo Spend Halves as State Tightens Belt

The NSW government has effectively halved what it will spend on revitalising one of Sydney’s most popular museums—the Powerhouse Ultimo.

In an announcement ahead of the September 19 state Budget, the government said it would spend $250 million on “a heritage revitalisation to the Powerhouse Museum Ultimo”.

Under the new plans, the precinct’s Wran building, opened in 1988, will be kept.

The Powerhouse Museum was established in 1879 as the Technological, Industrial and Sanitary Museum of South Wales.

In 1978 an investment by the NSW Wran Labor government transformed it into the modern Powerhouse Museum.

There has been no significant capital investment into Ultimo Powerhouse Museum since the museum opened in 1988.

The former government allocated $481 million for a Powerhouse renewal project, with planning consent for that plan granted in February.

Those plans include refurbished and expanded exhibition and public spaces as well as the relocation of the entrance to face Chinatown and Darling Harbour, and the demolition of the Wran Building and the old post office.

“NSW families are facing rampant inflation, as well as rising energy and housing costs,” the government said.

▲ The winning design for the previous planned revitalisation was revealed by the-then NSW government in December.

“The $230-million balance from this decision will support the construction of new school and hospital projects as part of a new era of responsible long-term Budget repair.

“Independent engineering advice is that there are significant systems that need to be replaced to meet operation and building code requirements.

“The NSW government will undertake further consultation with current staff as well as the arts and culture sector, business and creative industries groups, the education sector, peak bodies, expert advisors, local communities, and the public on the details and timing of this heritage redevelopment.”

The government said that the area around the Powerhouse Museum Ultimo had changed extensively since the museum opened in 1988.

“It is now a major hub for creative industries, technology, innovation, education and research. This prudent investment allows us to save the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo and preserve the Wran legacy in a tough fiscal environment.”

The winning design for the previous plan was revealed in December—a concept by the Australian team of Architectus, Durbach Block Jaggers Architects, Tyrrell Studio, Youssofzay + Hart, Akira Isogawa, Yerrabingin, Finding Infinity and Arup.

Meanwhile, work on the $1.4-billion Powerhouse Parramatta project is continuing ahead of its opening in 2025.

It will feature seven exhibition spaces plus learning and digital studios, a cinema, an 800-seat theatre, a rooftop garden, restaurants and cafes.