Powerhouse Parramatta CEO Lisa Havilah Steps Down Before Grand Opening

In a surprising move just ten weeks before the highly anticipated opening of Powerhouse Parramatta, CEO Lisa Havilah has temporarily stepped aside amid ongoing investigations into governance and procurement practices by the New South Wales government.

The announcement was made by Arts Minister John Graham, stating that the decision was necessary while the inquiries are conducted. A spokesperson from the Department of Creative Industries emphasized the complexity of the issues at hand, highlighting the need for due diligence and fairness in the process.

Despite this unexpected development, David Borger, President of the Powerhouse Trust, reassured the public that the museum is still scheduled to open on November 7. He acknowledged the challenging timing but affirmed, "A 100 percent the curtains are going to rise on the November 7… and there’s no changing that." An interim leadership team has been established, with NSW Government Architect Abbie Galvin stepping in as CEO and former Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron serving as a strategic advisor.

Havilah, who has led the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences for over seven years and was integral in the $915 million Powerhouse Parramatta project, has faced scrutiny in the past over budget concerns. In March, she was questioned about potential budget blowouts related to the project, to which she responded that both the new museum and the revitalization of the existing Powerhouse Museum were on track budget-wise.

Source: www.abc.net.au