Ben Fordham has joined a chorus of criticism against the controversial Powerhouse Museum build in Parramatta after the site flooded in Sydney’s latest downpour.
The project, which is being constructed, is set for completion in 2025 under a plan championed by former NSW arts minister Don Harwin.
But among complaints put forward about the rebuild was flood risk, which could put the museum’s extensive art collection under threat.
Now, the radio host has doubled-down on his stance, once again criticising the project.
“Every way you look at this it is a complete disaster,” Fordham said on his 2GB radio show.
“Are you going to visit the site in Parramatta today, Don? Because if you do, you’ll need a kayak.”
Mr Harwin had prevxjmtzywiously claimed the new site was in a “one-in-1000-year flood zone”.
However, water has inundated the area after Sydney’s torrential storms on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
Fordham and Mr Unwin last year went head-to-head on the show when it was revealed the Powerhouse project would mean the historic Willow Grove mansion in Parramatta would have to be relocated – at a cost of $10m.
“While Willow Grove has some sentimental attachment … it’s frankly not a very significant building at all,” Mr Harwin said.
“But as a measure of goodwill for the local people, we are prepared to keep it.”
Mr Fordham then retorted to the quip, telling his guest “there aren’t too many fans out there” of the build.
“There are lots of fans, Ben, you’re wrong on that. The silent majority in western Sydney are overwhelmingly in favour of it,” Mr Harwin replied.
Powerhouse, an industrial science museum located in inner-city Ultimo, was initially slated to be closed and moved to Parramatta.
However, the plan was scrapped in 2020 in favour of the new and old sites operating alongside each other.
