Sunbury’s Boilerhouse Theatre Company homeless over safety issues
THE BOILERHOUSE Theatre Company in Sunbury is without a permanent home after its performance space on Jacksons Hill failed to meet safety standards.
North West
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THE BOILERHOUSE Theatre Company in Sunbury is without a permanent home after its performance space on Jacksons Hill failed to meet safety standards.
Boilerhouse building owner Victoria University, which has provided the space at a peppercorn rate, informed the theatre company of the issues on Monday following an inspection and building report finalised on June 9.
Theatre company secretary Tony Rains said the bottom floor of the building where they were based had been declared non-compliant on safety grounds.
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“The report lays out requirements which are way out of our league to try and address — we are a not-for-profit theatre company in a town dominated by sport,” he said.
“We are not blaming anyone, if anything some of these issues have crept up on us as we are a passionate group of performers who want to put on shows in Sunbury.”
A Victoria University spokeswoman said its inspection revealed the lower level of the building did not comply with code standards “due to unauthorised alterations made by the theatre company”.
“The safety of all visitors to the site is a principle concern for Victoria University and in light of the surveyor’s report, it was recommended that only authorised personnel should access the lower levels of the building,” she said.
“Despite not being under any obligation, Victoria University has offered to carry out works on the upper floor of the building to ensure the next theatre production can proceed.”
The spokeswoman said the university would engage contractors to complete rectification works, repairs and maintenance to both floors of the building, free of charge.
Mr Rains confirmed two scheduled productions of Romeo and Juliet and 13 the Musical would go ahead at the upstairs Boilerhouse Art Gallery, but stage infrastructure would likely have to be hired.
The company, which looks unlikely to find a suitable ongoing home on Jacksons Hill, is working with Sunbury state Labor MP Josh Bull and Hume Council on finding another venue.
The theatre has been putting on shows from the atmospheric Boilerhouse since 2004 and has previously performed at Sunbury Memorial Hall.
In 2008, the theatre company was also locked out of its venue when bricks from a chimney fell through the roof and into their backstage area, prompting shows to be performed at the Mount Players Theatre in Macedon.
Mr Bull said he was working to secure a future for the theatre.
“In the short term, I have written to the Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley on behalf of the company to inquire about what assistance can provided,” he said.
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