Western Sydney pleads for PM to rescue $270m theatre revamp

An ambitious redevelopment of Parramatta’s only live theatre complex has come up short of $90 million, with the Albanese government under pressure to throw the project a lifeline ahead of Tuesday’s budget.

Detailed architectural and engineering work put the cost to revamp the 37-year-old Riverside Theatres at about $270 million, vastly exceeding the $188 million allocated by City of Parramatta.

The budget blowout is largely attributed to skyrocketing costs of labour and materials, and the theatres’ build connections to the river foreshore.

“We have now more people that live to the west of Parramatta than we do to its east,” Parramatta Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter said.

“Governments continue to build infrastructure for the 22nd century based on a city that is rooted in the past. I feel it’s time for them to support the west.

“The state has already given $40 million to this project, and it’s time for the federal government to pitch in.”

Last May, Cox Architecture, 3XN Architects, Aileen Sage, Turf Design studio and Bangawarra were selected to transform Riverside into a world-class performing arts centre to welcome more than 400,000 visitors a year.

The redevelopment called for a new 1500-seat Broadway-style lyric theatre, refurbishment of the existing 700-seat Riverside Playhouse Theatre, a new 325-seat black box drama theatre and a state-of-the-art, 100-seat digital studio and cinema, plus enhanced public spaces. The project would more than double Riverside’s capacity to 2780 seats.

At the project’s unveiling last year, councillors said they were aware of a funding shortfall and would form a delegation to meet federal Labor figures and plead for help.

The funding gap was confirmed as high as $90 million late last year, though total cost estimates will not be finalised until the development application has been determined in September.

Sticking to the original design brief would bump costs well beyond $100 million, sources not authorised to speak publicly said.

Value engineering – making savings through cheaper materials and design changes – is now under way to shave off 10 to 15 per cent of costs.

If further major savings are required, the cinema and rehearsal rooms destined for the carpark outside the main Riverside footprint may need to be cut, or the project delayed.

On February 24, the council applied for $50 million through the Federal Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program. Create NSW provided a letter of support on behalf of the state government.

Riverside Theatres in Parramatta as it stands now.Credit:

Zaiter listed Riverside as his top priority among 15 major city-shaping projects needing state and federal support. He has directly lobbied Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and local MP Andrew Charlton, and told the Herald: “I’ve done as much as I can.”

The funding crisis also has implications for Riverside’s National Theatre for Parramatta, which is charged with bringing unique stories of western Sydney to the stage.

Supporters say the quest for additional infrastructure funding should not distract from, or come at the expense of, funding the resident company to produce works in an expanded venue. There were also questions around where the company would be housed if the theatre closes.

Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue chief executive Adam Leto noted the federal government had co-funded the theatre’s delivery in 1988, as part of Australia’s Bicentennial celebrations.

“We’d love to see the feds come up with some additional funds to ensure one of the city’s most iconic and busiest theatres can put on a show,” Leto said.

“This project has the potential to be Sydney’s West End – an arts and cultural centrepiece, flanked by a new Powerhouse museum and a thriving dining and entertainment precinct.”

Federal Parramatta MP Andrew Charlton acknowledged the redevelopment was important to the city.

“It’s one of the busiest theatres in Australia. And it’s part of the booming new Parramatta entertainment and culture scene that includes significant heritage buildings, the new Powerhouse Parramatta, the new Eels sports precinct and world-class dining.”

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