Riverside Theatres redevelopment tops list of Western Sydney projects to secure funding boost

The City of Parramatta has secured a $170 million funding boost for transformational community projects which include the redevelopment of Riverside Theatres.

The funding boost, as part of a NSW Government pre-election spending spree bolstering western Sydney’s performing arts scene, sees the much-needed transformation of Riverside Theatres top the list of projects, with $40 million pitched in from the NSW Government’s WestInvest fund.

The NSW Government’s spending spree on western Sydney’s performing arts also includes $80 million for Campbelltown Arts Centre to build a new 350-seat theatre, galleries and workshop spaces and $40 million will be invested in a new Blacktown Arts and Cultural Centre – with its 3000 square metres of theatres, galleries, and public exhibition space.

The NSW Government funding of these projects is delivered via monies set aside from the proceeds of the sale of the WestConnex tollway system. An $11.1 billion transaction in 2021 saw the consortium, Sydney Transport Partners (STP) gain full control of WestConnex toll road - one of the largest road infrastructure projects in the world.

The Riverside Theatres redevelopment for which Parramatta Council is also investing more than $100 million involves the upgrading of the existing 760-seat Riverside Playhouse Theatre with the rest of the theatre complex, built for the 1988 Bicentenary, to be demolished making way for the new 1350-seat proscenium arch theatre, a new 430-seat “black box” drama theatre, 75 to 90 seat digital and development studio and screening space, and two rehearsal spaces.

Total seating capacity will more than double from 1067 to more than 2600 seats, enabling Parramatta to host major touring live music and theatre productions.

Riverside Theatres Director Craig McMaster advised that demand for events has resulted in Riverside being fully booked for the rest of the year, and shared “I’ve got no doubt with the way Parramatta is growing at such scale that there is demand out here to sustain multi-week, long-running shows. I can see Parramatta as an incredible arts and culture destination with Riverside Theatres the jewel in the crown.”

A design competition for Riverside Theatre redevelopment will be commissioned this year, with construction expected to start mid to late 2024 and finish late 2026.

Parramatta Council was successful in applying for 12 grants as part of the competitive round of the NSW Government’s WestInvest program, covering projects across Parramatta, North Parramatta, Westmead, Granville, Lidcombe, Silverwater, Epping and Carlingford. 

Other projects included multiple cycle and pedestrian links across the local government area, much-needed upgrades to community facilities and town centres, and improvements to parks and open spaces.

City of Parramatta Acting Chief Executive Bryan Hynes notes “The City of Parramatta is one of Australia’s fastest growing regions, and the projects that Council proposed reflect the needs of our ever-changing community.

“What we will be able to deliver with this funding will transform the lives of communities across the City of Parramatta, with a key focus on improving access to outdoor and recreation space.”

Other City of Parramatta projects that have been awarded funding:

• $8.7 million to upgrade five parks in Dundas (Sherwin Park, Barton Park, PH Jeffrey Reserve, Old Saleyard Reserve and Corry Court)

• $6.1 million to transform an empty space in the booming Carter Street Precinct into a community centre

• $10.6 million to connect the M4 Cycleway to the City of Canada Bay Cycleway, providing a continuous cycleway from the Parramatta CBD to Sydney CBD

• $26 million for a new active transport network that connects the Parramatta CBD, Parramatta River and Parramatta Park

• $9 million to improve safety and increase capacity for pedestrians and cyclists along Parramatta River’s eastern foreshore

• $5.6 million for the creation of a sporting and recreation precinct in North Granville, including a new natural turf football field and regional-size playground

• $971,000 for upgrades to Lake Parramatta’s swimming area, enhancing amenity, safety and useability

• $20.6 million to redevelop the Don Moore Community Centre in Carlingford into a multi-purpose community hub

• $5.3 million to reinvigorate outdoor dining, open spaces and bring much-needed shady street trees to Epping Town Centre

• $9.7 million to complete a missing link in the Finlaysons Creek Regional Cycleway, linking the M4 and Prospect Canal cycleways to the T-Way and Parramatta Valley cycleways

• $26.9 million to fund a walking and cycling network along Duck River, connecting the M4 and Parramatta Valley Cycleway off-road.

Image top: Riverside Theatre For Kids captivating 2022 production of ‘Into The Woods’. Credit: Riverside Theatre; Image above: Architect’s block image showing the scale of the new Riverside Theatres. Credit City of Parramatta.