The Powerhouse Museum would move to Parramatta under a radical proposal to boost the cultural offerings outside central Sydney.

Infrastructure NSW, the body responsible for setting the direction for major projects across the state, wants to uproot at least some of the museum's collection from its current Ultimo base, under a 20-year plan to be handed to the state government next month.

"You can't just pick up a museum and move it": Powerhouse Museum director Rose Hiscock is not keen on a full move to Sydney's west. Credit:Steve Lunam

The idea is being resisted by the museum, which is putting the final touches on a masterplan to redevelop the existing building to better integrate it with Darling Harbour.

"You can't just pick up a museum and move it," said its director Rose Hiscock, who confirmed Infrastructure NSW's proposal involved moving "certain functions and collections to Parramatta".