During their Ordinary Meeting on the 22nd of October, Ku-ring-gai Council’s final item on the agenda was Marian Street Theatre. A motion was moved to receive and note the update report on the likely costs and timetable to develop the unused site.
Councillor Indu Balachandran proposed an amendment during the lengthy discussion to approve $300,000 for the 2025/26 financial year budget for the construction of limited works on MST in order to preserve the development consent.
‘Cultural infrastructure is critical to healthy socially connected communities, and we know Ku-ring-gai is adapting to younger users, changing demographics, and a growing population,’ said Cr Balachandran.
She went on to say, ‘I read every facility and cultural infrastructure paper and plan, 2018 CSP, our community strategic plan, identified that many of Ku-ring-gai’s current facilities are not designed for the diverse need of the contemporary performance arts and interest.’
Ku-ring-gai Council have applied for a $15 million Federal Government Infrastructure Grant under the Thriving Suburbs Program.
‘To secure funds from external stakeholders, we have to be clear about our intent to actually make progress,’ said Cr Balachandran, speaking to the pending grant approval.
Cr Balachandran’s amendment was carried using Mayor Kay’s casting vote.
Another amendment was put forth by Councillor Smith to err on the side of caution, saying that instead of investing $300,000, that Council would instead give consideration to funding for works during budget deliberations for the 2025/26 budget at a later date.
‘I trust the staff to do the right thing… it’s not the staff, it’s the councillors,’ said Cr Smith. ‘It’s the councillors who are the problem because we get a change of heart, a change of position on Marian Street Theatre. We need time to think, there is no reason to make this decision now.’
Cr Smith’s amendment was made into the original motion, which was carried unanimously.
‘We have a brand-new Council who want to be seen to be taking the necessary steps to ensure that the innovative redevelopment application is preserved and progressed,’ says Marian Street Action Chair, Tony Bates. ‘There has been a long and thorough period of community consultation. The DA has been approved. Let’s all now work together and build it.’
Further update on Marian Street Theatre is pending until Council reconvene on the subject for the financial budget deliberations.
