Roxy Redevelopment Project

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Consultation has concluded.

At its May 2020 Ordinary Council Meeting, Leeton Shire Council endorsed the full project proposal received from the Roxy Redevelopment Committee (RRC) for the redevelopment of the Roxy Theatre, subject to additional funding availability.

It is Council’s vision to rejuvenate the Roxy Theatre into an civic and cultural hub for the town, to ultimately become the premier cultural precinct in the region that will increase usage and participation.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and intergenerational project that will see the Roxy fit for purpose for many years to come. It is a timely project following much hardship from drought, bushfires and disease pandemic across Australia and will play a key role in revitalising regional civic and cultural activity post COVID-19.

What Will The Project Deliver?

While maintaining the heritage fabric of the building, the full project proposed includes upgrades to meet theatre industry standards and building compliance with new technical equipment, upgrades to meet fire safety, Disability Discrimination Act and Workplace Health and Safety compliance, improved dressing rooms across two levels, a larger stage with stage level loading area and safer, more efficient rigging/fly systems, new heating and cooling system, improved foyer, lounge and servery/bar areas with a second auditorium, Roxy II. The upgraded specifications will cater for the highest calibre of shows and performers.

Improvements to seating with allow three operating modes in the main auditorium:

  • Inclusion of a removable retractable seating system significantly improving sightlines and offering high quality experience to patrons attending shows and presentations.
  • A modular raked floor system, pending further design and cost permitting to cater for experiences that allow social history and interpretation of the interior.
  • Both seating solutions can be removed creating a flat floor that provides an additional 191.8% of usable area enabling up to 22 tables of 10; twice current capacity. The functional capability will be supported by a function prep kitchen, increasing the opportunity for civic functions and events such as the Australian Art Deco Festival Leeton.
  • The aim is to store all seating configurations on site.


For the first time, patrons in wheelchairs or those with physical impairment, will now be able to access the Roxy foyer from the front of the building. Two lifts, one back of house and one in the foyer, will grant safe access for wheelchairs to the stage and lower dressing rooms, as well as to the upper level of the auditorium.

The Process

Extensive consultation has been conducted with users of the Theatre to understand their needs and how they have and will continue to make use of the Roxy. This, along with the development of a Conservation Management Plan, has enabled the architect to offer a concept that is fit for purpose while maintaining all the heritage value that makes the Roxy what it is.

Staging Option

If additional funding is unable to be sourced, Council will proceed with staging the project in order to reach the full vision over time. Stage One includes all elements of the full plan, with the exclusion of Roxy II, the servery/bar area, front of house lift and upstairs seating upgrade. Stage One would see Council contribute another $631,000 in loan funding in addition to their original contribution of $500,000. Further stages will be developed as further funding becomes available.

Council invites you to provide your feedback on the design proposal by completing the short survey below.

At its May 2020 Ordinary Council Meeting, Leeton Shire Council endorsed the full project proposal received from the Roxy Redevelopment Committee (RRC) for the redevelopment of the Roxy Theatre, subject to additional funding availability.

It is Council’s vision to rejuvenate the Roxy Theatre into an civic and cultural hub for the town, to ultimately become the premier cultural precinct in the region that will increase usage and participation.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and intergenerational project that will see the Roxy fit for purpose for many years to come. It is a timely project following much hardship from drought, bushfires and disease pandemic across Australia and will play a key role in revitalising regional civic and cultural activity post COVID-19.

What Will The Project Deliver?

While maintaining the heritage fabric of the building, the full project proposed includes upgrades to meet theatre industry standards and building compliance with new technical equipment, upgrades to meet fire safety, Disability Discrimination Act and Workplace Health and Safety compliance, improved dressing rooms across two levels, a larger stage with stage level loading area and safer, more efficient rigging/fly systems, new heating and cooling system, improved foyer, lounge and servery/bar areas with a second auditorium, Roxy II. The upgraded specifications will cater for the highest calibre of shows and performers.

Improvements to seating with allow three operating modes in the main auditorium:

  • Inclusion of a removable retractable seating system significantly improving sightlines and offering high quality experience to patrons attending shows and presentations.
  • A modular raked floor system, pending further design and cost permitting to cater for experiences that allow social history and interpretation of the interior.
  • Both seating solutions can be removed creating a flat floor that provides an additional 191.8% of usable area enabling up to 22 tables of 10; twice current capacity. The functional capability will be supported by a function prep kitchen, increasing the opportunity for civic functions and events such as the Australian Art Deco Festival Leeton.
  • The aim is to store all seating configurations on site.


For the first time, patrons in wheelchairs or those with physical impairment, will now be able to access the Roxy foyer from the front of the building. Two lifts, one back of house and one in the foyer, will grant safe access for wheelchairs to the stage and lower dressing rooms, as well as to the upper level of the auditorium.

The Process

Extensive consultation has been conducted with users of the Theatre to understand their needs and how they have and will continue to make use of the Roxy. This, along with the development of a Conservation Management Plan, has enabled the architect to offer a concept that is fit for purpose while maintaining all the heritage value that makes the Roxy what it is.

Staging Option

If additional funding is unable to be sourced, Council will proceed with staging the project in order to reach the full vision over time. Stage One includes all elements of the full plan, with the exclusion of Roxy II, the servery/bar area, front of house lift and upstairs seating upgrade. Stage One would see Council contribute another $631,000 in loan funding in addition to their original contribution of $500,000. Further stages will be developed as further funding becomes available.

Council invites you to provide your feedback on the design proposal by completing the short survey below.