Sweet boost for Roxy Theatre

One million dollars of federal government funding has been announced for the iconic Roxy Theatre’s redevelopment, which is “icing on the cake” for Leeton Shire Mayor Paul Maytom.

The Roxy Institute of Performing Arts (RIPA) will be established in the heritage-listed building to complement a performance theatre, concert venue and cinema. It will offer training for country students aspiring for a career in the creative arts.

Farrer MP Sussan Ley and Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt announced the funding in Leeton on Tuesday. It’s part of $6.3 million to be spent in the electorate exhausting Murrumbidgee-Darling diversification funding.Ms Ley said the grant will help strengthen and diversify the Leeton economy and community.

“This will put Leeton on the map with another really interesting quality venue and visit. There are some extraordinary things that happen in the Leeton Shire, but it’s also the home of variegated agriculture and we must never forget that water underpins our regional economy,” Ms Ley said.

“This is about diversifying, this is about something different. This is about the performing arts, which I think have a real scope and opportunity here in rural and regional Australia.”

The project is being funded by federal, state and local government funds. Mr Pitt said the redevelopment is part of the overall spending that ensures Murray-Darling communities back in the centre of the Murray-Darling Basin economic development plan.

“This is about these regional communities and what we can do to strengthen them,” he said.

Mayor Maytom looks forward to the beginning of the project.

“It’s a massive project and we’re so proud of this theatre and the community is so proud of this theatre. This million dollars is icing on the cake as far as we’re concerned,” Cr Maltom said.

• Topics:

• Grants / Funding
• Arts and Media
• Performing Arts