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Western Sydney’s New Centre of the Arts
Project update April 2025 - Lodgement of State Significant Development Application (SSDA)
Council has lodged a SSDA for the redevelopment of Riverside Theatres and the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is now on public exhibition.
Feedback on the EIS should be provided directly to the NSW Government Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure via the Major Projects Planning Portal.
Submissions close 5pm, 28 April 2025.
About the redevelopment
The redevelopment of Riverside Theatres is one of the most exciting cultural development projects to be undertaken in NSW in years. Architects and designers have contributed their ingenuity, innovation, imagination, creativity and design talent to shape the future of a reimagined Riverside Theatres.
The highly anticipated winning design, led by COX Architecture with 3XN Architects, Aileen Sage, Turf Design Studio and Bangawarra, will more than double Riverside Theatres’ current capacity. With an iconic design, the venue will become a world-class performing arts centre, welcoming more than 400,000 visitors per year. The reimagined Riverside Theatres is designed with First Nations-inspired interiors, crafted with global best-practice standards, with a strong focus on accessibility and artistic flexibility.
The proposed design respects Parramatta’s rich cultural heritage, thoughtfully integrating contemporary architecture with elements that honour the area’s historical significance, creating a harmonious blend of past and present. It is proposed to feature:
- A 1500-seat Broadway-style lyric theatre;
- A refurbished Riverside Playhouse theatre;
- A new 341-seat black-box drama theatre;
- A state-of-the-art studio cinema for film, performance and premium events;
- New and enhanced public foyers, bars and function spaces;
- A strong focus on accessibility and sustainability;
- All new loading dock, back-of-house, technical and performer spaces with a focus on inclusivity and universal access for staff and performers.
Construction of the reimagined Riverside Theatres is expected to start in late 2025, with doors to Western Sydney’s newest performing arts centre set to open in 2028.
Find out more
Visit Participate Parramatta to stay up to date on the Riverside Theatres redevelopment project.
