Historic Parramatta venue secures future in face of development

After years of uncertainty and a number of development proposals related to the future of Parramatta’s Roxy Theatre, the NSW State Government has this week announced that they’ll be protecting the historic site from overdevelopment. The historic site was heritage listed in 1999.

The iconic venue has filled many roles since it opened in the 1920s, as a cinema, live music venue, retail area and nightclub. Questions have lingered about the future of the venue since it was last closed in 2014 as a result of a number of issues with patrons and police. 

In late 2017 a proposal was submitted to restore the venue once again, including additional spaces for performances and functions as well as a 27-storey office tower on top. Concerns about the preservation of the heritage-listed venue were expressed by a number of organisations and community groups, and the proposal was ultimately rejected by the Heritage Council of NSW. 

Now the lingering uncertainty over the future of the venue can be put to rest following the government’s official decision. 

“We have listened to the community, and the feedback that demands we afford this heritage site protection from overdevelopment,” said Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee. 

“What the community and government want are more public amenities that will benefit the community, will attract visitors and will be enjoyed by people for generations to come.”

The news comes as an added boost for Parramatta following the government’s recent commitment to developing the Riverside Theatres precinct with a $40m revitalisation boost approved as part of the government’s WestInvest project. 

‍