The expansion of the Museums Discovery Centre

Image: Artist impression of Museums Discovery Centre (subject to final approvals) – Lahznimmo Architects.
Expansion project
A new state-of-the-art building designed by award-winning Sydney based architectural practice Lahznimmo Architects, will be constructed on the Museum Discovery Centre, Castle Hill site.
It will include spaces for the storage, care, research and viewing of the Powerhouse Collection, as well as flexible spaces for education and public programs, workshops, talks and events.
This world-class facility will enhance the site’s ability to protect valuable State, heritage and cultural assets in a secure, environmentally controlled and sustainable space.
The expansion will increase opportunities for storytelling, skill-sharing, education programs, tours, events, partnerships and temporary exhibitions, and provide greater access to the Powerhouse Collection for the people of Castle Hill and the broader Western Sydney community.
Project Status
The project is now progressing into the delivery phase.
Consent for the State Significant Development Application SSD-10472 was granted on 23 April 2021, by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
The Museums Discovery Centre is a storage collaboration with the Australian Museum and Sydney Living Museums.
If you have any questions or would like to further discuss the project with us, please contact the project team on project@maas.museum or call 1800 743 436.
For more information visit: https://maas.museum/museums-discovery-centre-expansion/
Prior to the commencement of the construction of main works on site, the following information and documents have been made publicly available in accordance with SSD-10472 Consent Condition B3:
- Condition A1 SSD-10472 Statutory Approvals and documents referred to in the Development Consent
- Condition B27 Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP), this includes sub-plans: B28 Construction Traffic and Pedestrian Management Sub-Plan (CTPMSP), B30 Construction Soil and Water Management Sub-Plan (CSWMSP), B31 Construction Waste Management Sub-Plan (WMP)
- Condition B29 Construction Noise and Vibration Management Sub-Plan (CNVMSP)
- Condition B32 Construction Worker Transportation Strategy (CWTS)
- Crown Design Certificate CC1 for stage 1 of the main works
- Crown Design Certificate CC1 – Stamped Drawings
Prior to the commencement of the construction of early works on site, the following information and documents have been made publicly available in accordance with SSD-10472 Consent Condition B3:
- Condition A1 SSD-10472 Statutory Approvals and documents referred to in the Development Consent
- Condition B27 – Construction Environment Management Plan
- Condition B28 – Construction Traffic & Pedestrian Management Sub-Plan
- Condition B29 – Construction Noise & Vibration Management Sub-Plan
- Condition B30 – Construction Soil & Water Management Sub-Plan
- Condition B31 – Waste Management Plan
- Condition B32 – Construction Worker Transportation Strategy
Prior to commencement of main works construction under Crown Certificate 2, and until the completion of the works, the applicant will make information and documents publicly available on its website in accordance with SSD-10472 Consent Condition B3:
- Letter to DPE in accordance with Consent Condition A14: staging, combining and updating strategies, plans or programs, notification of commencement of construction by the applicant, if construction is staged in accordance with Consent Condition B3.
- MDC CC2 Cover Letter 17062022
- 2021-039 Building J Crown Design Certificate No 2
- Stamped Architectural Drawings
- 220609 Architectural Design Certificate CC2
- Structural Cover Sheet & Drawing List
- Structural Drawings (Part 1)
- Structural Drawings (Part 2)
- Structural Drawings (Part 3)
- 181569 SC01-8 Structural Design Certificate
- 181569-00-SER03- [E] NCC Section J DTS Report F
- Brandz-Appraisal-822-Solitex-Extasana
- MDC CC2 Sarking Confirmation 17062022
Prior to commencement of main works construction under Crown Certificate 3, and until the completion of the works, the applicant will make information and documents publicly available on its website in accordance with SSD-10472 Consent Condition B3:
- MDC CC3 Cover Letter 02082022
- Letter to DPE Crown Certificate 3
- 2021-39 Building J Crown Design Certificate No 3
- 22065_220802 MDC Bld J – FP1.4 Rev 02
- MDC CC2 Sarking Confirmation 17062022 (1)
- MDC CC3 Stamped Architectural
- MDC CC3 Architectural Design Certificate
- MDC CC3 FP1.4 confirmation Letter 11082022
- MDC CC3 Hydraulic Design Certificate
- MDC CC3 Hydraulic Drawings Stamped
- MDC CC3 NCC Section J DTS Report F (1)
- WF069-01F02-R1 Solar Light Reflectivity Report
B13 TREE REPLACEMENT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
Prior to commencement of construction of Building J, a final Tree Replacement Implementation Plan (TRIP) must be developed in consultation with Council and approved by the Planning Secretary. The TRIP must include the final planting locations, species, pot sizes and maintenance of the replacement planting for 674 trees (74 trees are to be within Council’s open space and 600 trees are to be within land leased by Taronga Conservation Society Australia to be grown and maintained for the purpose of zoo and animal food). The TRIP must include a requirement that the Applicant is responsible for replacement of any planting losses in the first 12 months, with the same species.
View the approved Tree Replacement Implementation Plan (TRIP).