Revive the Roxy

Parramatta's historic Roxy Theatre opened in 1930 — conceived as a grand picture palace with almost 2000 seats and capable of staging live performances. Built in a delightful mixture of Spanish and Mexican motifs, it is one of the largest and most startling of all Australian picture palaces.

In September 2018 a Development Application that would have destroyed all but the 700-seat Dress Circle and Foyer was rejected by the Central Sydney Planning Panel, and an appeal to the Land and Environment Court was rejected on 27 June 2019. This effectively protects the Roxy from further destruction, and preserves the potential for a full restoration to the grand theatre this city deserves.

The Roxy's auditorium can easily be converted back into its original Stalls and Dress Circle format. The possibility of having a large theatre that is also a magnificent heritage building is an unrivalled opportunity — as impressive as the Capitol in Sydney or the Regent in Melbourne.

In February 2023 (one month before the State election) then Arts Minister Ben Franklin announced that the Liberal Government would acquire and fully restore the Roxy as a performing arts venue.

In March 2023 NSW Labor announced its commitment to also acquire/restore the Roxy as an arts/culture venue in addition to building a new theatre at Riverside.

In August 2025 Parramatta Council unanimously passed a Lord Mayoral Minute calling on the State Government "to invest in the revitalisation of the Roxy Theatre and restore it to its full potential as a premier live music and entertainment venue in the heart of western Sydney".

Despite these endorsements by both sides of politics and Parramatta Council, the Roxy still awaits intervention, and continues to decay as each month passes.

The Roxy Theatre Action Group urges the State Government and Parramatta Council to work together to urgently acquire the Roxy as promised, in order to stop the decay and to demonstrate its commitment.