Arabic version: ليزا هافيلاه تتنحى قبل افتتاح باورهاوس باراماتا

According to ABC News, Powerhouse Parramatta chief executive Lisa Havilah has stepped aside while the NSW government conducts investigations into governance and procurement, 10 weeks before the Western Sydney cultural institution is due to open.

The decision was announced on Thursday in a statement from the office of Minister for Arts John Graham. A Department of Creative Industries spokesperson said the matters were complex and involved multiple lines of inquiry. The department said it had a responsibility to address them with due diligence and procedural fairness, and that no formal findings or conclusions had been made.

Powerhouse Trust president David Borger said the development was challenging and not ideal so close to the opening. However, he said the museum’s November 7 opening date would not be affected, declaring that the curtains would rise on that date.

An interim team will oversee the organisation before the opening. From September 1, NSW Government Architect Abbie Galvin will become CEO, while former Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron will serve as strategic adviser. Mr Graham’s office described Ms Galvin as an experienced senior executive across public, infrastructure and cultural sectors.

Ms Havilah was appointed Powerhouse Parramatta CEO in 2018 and oversaw the $915 million build. She has led the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences for more than seven years and previously oversaw the expansion of the Carriageworks multi-arts hub in Redfern. In March, she denied budget overruns for Powerhouse Parramatta and the Powerhouse Museum revitalisation in Ultimo, saying both were being delivered within allocated budgets.