Work being done on the Roxy Theatre interior. Photo: Leeton Shire Council.
The adage, ‘If you want something done, do it yourself’ has been adopted by Leeton Shire Council, who will assume the role of head builder of the planned redevelopment of the Roxy Community Theatre, with the aim of completing the project by May 2024.
A planned revamp of the iconic 1930-built art deco building – including an enhanced foyer, two cinemas and a performing arts school – was thrown into disarray in March 2023, when the project’s Sydney-based principal contractor Llyod Group went into voluntary administration.
At a special meeting, the council voted to continue the build by entering into direct negotiations with the relevant trades themselves.
The total approved budget for the project is now $12.2 million, more than double the original estimated cost of $4.45 million when the project was conceived in 2018. It was initially hoped the revamp would be completed this year.
The local government body says it will only spend what monies it has already committed to date [$5.3 million] until additional grant funds can be found, and also voted to direct $250,000 from its original budget to the architects and range of consulting engineers/specialists required to advise on the build and issue compliance certificates.
“Nobody wanted to be in this position, but I’m pleased to say council has taken stock, considered its options carefully – and the associated risks – and determined a proactive path forward. We’ve made provisions to set up our own Roxy Project Management Office to manage the project, let contracts and oversee the works,” Leeton mayor Tony Reneker said.
“Doing the job ourselves, as opposed to bringing in another head contractor, is the most cost-effective approach and certainly the preference of our local trades.
“Where possible, council will continue with the local trades who have already been working on the project and to whom we remain fully committed.”
Councillor Michael Kidd, deputy mayor and portfolio lead for arts and culture, outlined his expected timeline for the rebuild.
“Next steps include formally convening a project management office with relevant expertise and letting the trades during the month of June. We hope to see action on the ground from July.
“If all goes exactly to plan, the build will be completed in May 2024. However, being a 90-year-old state heritage building that was built during the Depression years, the Roxy tends to throw up surprises from time to time, so further latent conditions may have to be anticipated along the way. Council has therefore set aside $430,000 in the voted budget as a contingency.”
The Roxy Theatre project has had funding issues. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
The original Lloyd Group build price was $7.1 million in 2020. To date, $2.3 million has been paid to them.
“We have only spent money on work that has already been done,” mayor Reneker said. “We guarantee that all current invoices for local contractors will be paid.”
The council said it had separately obtained seating and specialist equipment, which remained unchanged as these were procured independently of the Lloyd Group.
The redevelopment project has long been hampered by a funding shortfall, with the Federal Government contributing less than was originally hoped it would provide. But mayor Reneker has vowed to push on.
“Our resilience as a community serves us well as we roll our sleeves up and make this happen. While the delayed completion date of the Roxy Community Theatre will be disappointing to many, council can now move on from the devastating news of the Lloyd Group’s demise and progress the build with full control.
“Council will be presented a build progress report every second month which will keep them and the community fully abreast of developments, including how the finances are tracking.”
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