Parra News October 5 2021

LOCAL NEWS
Cafe labelled an “insult”
New cafe doesn’t align with site’s historical significance, advocates say
NICOLA BARTON
Members of the Parramatta
Female Factory Friends say
plans for a new cafe inside the
North Parramatta Heritage Core is an
“insult” to the historic site.
The proposed works are to be located
within the Female Factory/Lunatic
Asylum Precinct of the Cumberland
Hospital East Campus, within the former
boiler room and dining area.
The project is part of the broader
Parramatta North program, which
includes the establishment of the Western
Sydney Start-Up Hub.
But descendants and history advocates
believe the National Heritage site deserves
better, with activation that would complement
its historical significance, rather
than just serve commercial purposes.
Cate Whittaker is a Parramatta Female
Factory Friends’ Committee member,
social historian and playwright of ‘Forgotten’,
based on the rebellion at the factory
in 1827 and said the cafe plans ignore the
significance of the site.
“There is a Master Plan for this site
An artist’s impression of the new cafe at the Parramatta Female Factory.
developed by Urban Growth, which would
address its National and NSW Heritage
site listings and ensure its reuse is
compatible with its outstanding historical
significance, however this plan has not yet
been completed,” she said.
“This now means this site is being used
for whatever the NSW Government wants,
which is for any type of commercial
activity without regard to its historical
significance.
“There are other buildings outside the
historical core that could be used for this
cafe, but there is a blasé indifference, if not
deliberate arrogance, towards ignoring
this unique world site, the first female
convict factory in a nation uniquely
founded on convicts. This site has actually
great commercial value as a tourist site.”
Ms Whittaker also raised concerns over
pedestrian safety for the proposed loading
bay and access road.
A Property & Development NSW spokesperson
said the proposed cafe has been
approved by Heritage NSW in accordance
with the Heritage Act and “will follow best
practice heritage conservation and adaptive
re-use practices”.
“Property and Development NSW is
working collaboratively with stakeholders,
including the Parramatta Female Factory
Friends, and we look forward to continuing
to engage in an open and respectful
way as the Heritage Precinct is brought to
life,” the spokesperson said.
The Parramatta North Program Business
Case, which includes proposed funding
for ongoing conservation, renewal and
activation initiatives, including future
museum opportunities, is still being
considered by the NSW Government.
parra news » Tuesday, October 5, 2021
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On behalf of Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW), RPS is seeking to identify
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