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August 27, 2026 \u2014 3:53pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n The opening of the billion dollar Powerhouse Parramatta has been left under a cloud after its chief executive stepped down 72 days before the opening of the state\u2019s biggest investment in culture since the Sydney Opera House.<\/p>\n In a shock development, staff were alerted on Thursday afternoon that Havilah had stood aside from her role of seven years pending completion of a departmental investigation into \u201cgovernance and procurement practices\u201d. Only five days before the museum had announced its five opening exhibitions.<\/p>\n NSW Government Architect Abbie Galvin has been appointed interim chief executive, and the former chief executive of Sydney Opera House, Louise Herron, as strategic adviser.<\/p>\n Department secretary Melanie Hawes sought to stabilise operations and committed to the opening timeline in a letter to staff: \u201cAs you would be aware from recent media reports, there is an ongoing investigation into matters relating to governance and procurement practices at the Powerhouse.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter speaking with the chief executive earlier today, Lisa Havilah will be standing aside while the investigation is completed.<\/p>\n \u201cI recognise that this news comes at a significant time for the organisation, as we prepare for the opening of Powerhouse Parramatta. I know how much work, commitment and personal energy all of you have invested in reaching this milestone, and I want to assure you that there will be no impact to the existing programs of work, or the opening on November 7.\u201d<\/p>\n Havilah has been the single-minded driving force of the Powerhouse Parramatta since her appointment in 2019. The project aims to deliver western Sydney its first cultural institution, while redrawing Sydney\u2019s cultural geography, and fundamentally changing how audiences encounter design, technology, and applied arts.<\/p>\n But the new building has been bedevilled by political controversy over budget, location and heritage for more than a decade.<\/p>\n A protected whistleblower complaint<\/a> around procurement practices and job appointments at the Powerhouse has been ongoing for almost a year leading the Department of Creative Industries and Tourism to seek assurances from NSW Procurement in Treasury about the tender of museum contracts.<\/p>\n Last month, the Herald published revelations<\/a> that the museum had burned through more than $70 million in the lead-up to its November 7 opening.<\/p>\n The Powerhouse has spent more than $5 million on marketing and public relations in Australia and London, including $1.7 million-plus on a film and television documentary<\/a>, as well as $25 million building exhibits for five opening shows, not including object loans, freight and commissioning of new artworks. Treasury parachuted Cassandra Wilkinson into the role of acting chief operating officer amid the spending disclosures.<\/p>\n Related Article NSW Treasury secretary Michael Coutts-Trotter told budget estimates on Friday he was concerned about pre-opening overspending by western Sydney\u2019s first cultural institution.<\/p>\n The Herald understands the museum\u2019s board of trustees met two weeks ago to consider procurement issues at Parramatta. The museum\u2019s executive was told at 2.30pm Thursday.<\/p>\n Public Service Association, representing staff, has written repeatedly to the Arts minister John Graham about the \u201cexcessive use of external labour and consultants\u201d, and urged an independent financial audit of the spending and recruitment methods used by senior management at the Powerhouse.<\/p>\n Former museum trustee Kylie Winkworth, said John Graham, and its board chair David Borger should step down, too, after ignoring multiple complaints of mismanagement and waste, which were \u201cdocumented and footnoted\u2019. \u201cI never got a reply.\u201d<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"CEO](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/b2b2e5137d929bf148d1cd946ec519267524b9d7.jpeg\")
CEO Lisa Havilah tours the new Powerhouse Parramatta. Janie Barrett<\/p>\n![\"Powerhouse](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/a1f3433eff65987be40e623b4f5a9c92a54fd82c.gif\")
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