Marian St Theatre Plot Twist

Marian St Theatre Action

Marian Street Theatre Plot Twist COMMUNITY SAVED THE PLANS. COUNCIL MUST NOW REBUILD THE THEATRE.

Marian Street Theatre campaigners are urging Ku-ring-gai Council to prioritise rebuilding amid concerns that a proposal to reclassify the site from community to operational land could pave the way for a future sale.

Residents raised $100,000 in one week to preserve the approved Development Application. Campaigners are now pursuing grants and philanthropic support.

“The community has kept this project alive. Council must now help secure funding and deliver the rebuild,” Tony Bates said.

“We need transparency and a clear path to reopening—not more uncertainty,” Jessica Blaxland Ashby said.

The community calls on Council to retain the site’s community-land status, protect its heritage, clarify its intentions and pursue funding.

Our Theatre. Our Community. Our Future.

The Central Issue

Why remove community protections now when the theatre's future operating arrangements have not yet been decided?

Council is asking the community to surrender important legal protections before it has secured funding, finalised an operating model or committed to rebuilding Marian Street Theatre.

What to ask Councillors Ngai and Smith?

One question cuts straight to the heart of their proposal:

"If the sole purpose of reclassifying Marian Street Theatre is to facilitate its reopening, will you agree to a legally enforceable restriction ensuring the land remains in public ownership and is used for community cultural purposes?"

If their intentions are entirely about reopening the theatre, this would be an opportunity to demonstrate that commitment.

There is a Ku-ring-gai Council public forum at the Gordon Council Chambers on Pacific Highway on Tuesday 13th October at 7pm. Once again, this is short notice.

Contact details:

For photo opportunities and interviews, please contact:

Tony Bates +61 417 325 993

Jane Salmon +61 417 919 354