Riverside Theatres Redevelopment Moves Ahead
City of Parramatta is pushing ahead plans to reimagine Riverside Theatres with the detailed design and tender process to deliver Parramatta’s iconic centrepiece given the green light at Monday’s Council Meeting.
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Martin Zaiter said Council was keeping its foot on the accelerator to deliver the historic $276.8 million project, while it looks to secure additional funds to bring the full vision to life.
“This is a global City shaping project and we’re calling on the Australian Government, philanthropists and investors to join Council and the NSW Government to deliver this critical piece of cultural infrastructure for all of Western Sydney,” Cr Zaiter said.
“The reimagined Riverside Theatres will bolster Western Sydney’s 24-hour economy, providing jobs and opportunities, attracting visitors from near and far to enjoy Broadway quality shows and the best of Australia’s incredible performers along with all that Western Sydney has to offer.
“Council has a strong track record of delivering major infrastructure projects to accelerate Western Sydney and we are putting our support behind the Riverside Theatres redevelopment as the next major piece of Parramatta’s global City transformation.”
City of Parramatta chief executive Gail Connolly PSM said the reimagined Riverside Theatres will attract major Australian and international works with expanded performance spaces, cutting-edge technology and modern accessibility features.
“The iconic design celebrates Parramatta’s rich cultural heritage, incorporating architecturally crafted elements that honour the area’s historical significance, seamlessly blending the past with the present,” Ms Connolly said.
“The new Riverside’s technically advanced and fully accessible venues are destined to become one of Australia’s leading theatre and arts centres, solidifying its position as a premier destination for world-class performances. The riverfront will be enhanced with improved public access and features a vibrant new café and bar, surrounded by a rejuvenated, more naturalised endemic landscape.”
Plans to transform PHIVE’s Discovery Space into an innovative new temporary theatre – ‘Riverside Live at PHIVE’ – were also endorsed to ensure the community will continue to experience quality shows and productions during the construction period.
The Riverside redevelopment project is funded by City of Parramatta and the NSW Government’s Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program. Council has called on the Australian Government to share the funding burden and re-balance investment in Western Sydney’s cultural infrastructure.
https://www.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/about-parramatta/news/media-release/riverside-theatres-redevelopment-moves-ahead