In what came as a bolt from the blue to many, Powerhouse staff were told on Thursday afternoon that chief executive Lisa Havilah would stand aside while an investigation into governance and procurement practices at the museum is completed, just 10 weeks out from the opening of the $915 million Powerhouse Parramatta.
In an email to staff, Melanie Hawyes, secretary of the NSW Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport, said Havilah had agreed to step aside following discussions with the department.
“As you would be aware from recent media reports, there is an ongoing investigation into matters relating to governance and procurement practices at the Powerhouse,” Hawyes wrote.
“After speaking with the chief executive earlier today, Lisa Havilah will be standing aside while the investigation is completed.”
Hawyes sought to reassure staff that the leadership change would not affect the opening of Powerhouse Parramatta, scheduled for 7 November.
Powerhouse Parramatta. Image courtesy Moreau Kusunoki
“I recognise that this news comes at a significant time for the organisation, as we prepare for the opening of Powerhouse Parramatta,” she wrote. “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 7 November.”
NSW Arts Minister John Graham later confirmed NSW Government Architect Abbie Galvin would be appointed interim chief executive and that former Sydney Opera House chief executive Louise Herron would take on the role of strategic adviser.
Havilah joined the Powerhouse in 2018, after seven years as chief executive of Sydney arts precinct Carriageworks, and has overseen the institution during a period of major transformation. She was instrumental in developing the Parramatta project, which has been promoted as the largest cultural infrastructure project in NSW since the Sydney Opera House.
Designed by French-Japanese practice Moreau Kusunoki in collaboration with Australian firm Genton, the Powerhouse Parramatta project has been under scrutiny over spending in the lead-up to its opening.
Among the expenditure reported by the Sydney Morning Herald is more than $10 million on LED screens, staging and a backdrop for an immersive work by British artist Es Devlin.
The museum also spent more than $5 million on marketing and public relations in Australia and London, including more than $1.7 million on a film documentary on the building project and $333,000 on a high-profile interior designer for thePowerhouse’s on-site studio apartments, which, in turn, led to $2m on bespoke interior fittings and $160,000 spendings on custom rugs.
