LEETON Shire Council has admitted speculation is rife and rumours abound when it comes to proposed upgrades at the town’s iconic Roxy Theatre.
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Council is currently in the middle of planning refurbishment works at the theatre having already put in a sizable grant application to help pay for the work.
Community members and user groups of the theatre were included in the grant process, but in recent weeks many have started to voice their opinion against any proposed work.
With this in mind, council will hold a question and answer session at the theatre on Tuesday night from 6.30pm to help clarify exactly what is happening.
Residents will hear first hand the history of the project, where it is at, and what comes next.
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Participants will also have a chance to ask questions of council staff, the Roxy Theatre Advisory Committee chairman councillor Michael Kidd and volunteer chairman of the refurbishment working group, Katherine Herrmann.
The main idea behind any upgrades to the theatre is to ensure its longevity.
Council general manager, Jackie Kruger, has called for calm.
“The concept plans are not final design plans,” she said.
“Right now nothing is locked in.”
“This journey started in 2016 with extensive user and community engagement about what needs to be considered to make the Roxy a more vibrant, busy and highly-functional cultural and civic hub that will be fit for purpose for the next 50 years, affordable for all and cost effective to operate.
“It is unfortunate the concepts were leaked even before the Roxy Refurbishment Committee and Roxy Advisory Committee had had a proper chance to fully consider them and determine next steps for public engagement.
“Their release without the appropriate context has led to misinformation and entrenched positioning instead of an opportunity for constructive discussion and further development of ideas.”
Mrs Kruger said council was aware how precious the theatre is to residents and urged them to attend Tuesday night’s meeting.
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