Two key decisions have meant work on the inside of the building can soon start once tenders have been approved.

The wait for this to start has been the result of the need to gain development consent by the Western Riverina Joint Regional Planning Panel, which has now been granted.

The other was a decision from Leeton Shire Council to fully fund stage one, while it awaits the federal government's decision on the Building Better Regions Fund, which is needed to complete stage two of the project in the former Movie and Crate Cafe buildings.

With existing funding deadlines looming for mid-2022, council resolved at its meeting last week to proceed with calling for tenders for the full vision for the Roxy, but with the option of completing the project in two stages in the event the stage two funding is not able to be achieved this year.

In the meantime, community members and staff have been busily packing away all of the Roxy Theatre's prized possessions so they can be safely stored while the redevelopment takes place.

This includes memorabilia, projection gear, sound and lighting equipment and the Yamaha C5 grand piano.

Volunteer Roxy project director Katherine Herrmann said five builders had been shortlisted for the work, all with experience in heritage and performing arts facilities.

"They come highly recommended," she said.

"Stage one of work involves the auditorium, all of the compliance and everything associated with that. Stage two contains predominantly the extended foyer area, the cafe and 'Roxy Two'.

"We've also got external works involved in stage one, including the roof replacement. We're also repainting the entire auditorium through consultation with a heritage expert to do the full reveal of what the original colours are."

Due to the COVID pandemic, the cost of construction materials has escalated 18 to 20 per cent, an issue being faced across NSW.

This, together with the detailed design work and compliance being scaled to deliver for the full project, has impacted the final cost plan.

After considering and implementing various value management options, council has also resolved to bring forward elements of stage two into stage one, which has required an additional $503,000 above its previous investment decisions.

The additional funds will be drawn from Section 94a reserve funds (developer contributions).

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Roxy Redevelopment Committee member councillor Tracey Morris said a lot of hard work had gone into reaching this stage of the project.

"Our Roxy is not immune to the ups and downs in the economy and I am pleased the staff and design team have considered ways of ensuring the project costs are managed and the integrity of the vision can be achieved,"she said.

"Their next challenge will be to ensure that the very best of contracting and project management is in place to ensure the refurbishment is delivered in full, on time and to budget."

Fellow councillors who are also part of the committee - Michael Kidd and Sandra Nardi - expressed their relief at the project moving forward.

The pair said they were looking forward to seeing which of the highly-recommended builders on the shortlist would be awarded the work.

"This is not only an opportunity to ensure our Roxy becomes fully compliant for fire, safety and disabled access, but also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ensure the theatre is able to drive education and creative enterprise, attract the very best of shows and serve as a town hall ...," Cr Nardi said.

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