Why Marian St?
Vision
A rebuilt community hub at Marian St that is welcoming and accessible for all, supporting artists and offering a diverse range of artistic, cultural and community activities.
All Creative Arts
Accessible
For Artists
Our Strategy
About the approved designs
- 1905 Killara Hall Pty Ltd buys land (Lot 27 Marian St) and erects hall.
- 1918 Local citizens buy hall for community purposes as a memorial hall.
- 1931 Ku-ring-gai Council buys Killara Soldiers Memorial Hall, renews licence under Theatre and Public Halls Act.
- 1966 KRG Council leases to Community Theatre Co Ltd.
- 1974 Change of name to Marian St Theatre Ltd under Mr John Krummel.
- 1990 Building applications 46a 90/663, 46 b 90/1673, 46c 90/1876.
- 2001 Marian St Theatre Ltd terminates lease. Marian St Theatre for Young People (MSTYP) continues as resident company.
- 2002 KRG Council calls for Expressions of Interest for lease.
- 2003 DA1013 lodged for theatre restaurant, withdrawn Oct 2004.
- 2005 KRG Council workshop to consider Marian St Theatre’s future.
- 2007 Marian St into the future community consultation.
- 2008 MSTYP performances cease due to lack of POPE (performance) licence, classes, workshops, and admin continue.
- 2008 Marian St Feasability report (“Australia St”). Cost estimate $6m ($2m – $15m) for a major rebuild as a national centre for excellence.
- 2009 Federal government infrastructure grant $292,000; DA0185/09 approved.
- 2013 Soft Tread report proposes softer capital works with multiple resident companies. Cost $1m.
- 2013 Marian St Theatre closed to all activities; doors locked.
- 2014 Currie Report proposes Council-run venue with no resident companies.
- 2016 Mayor Szatow encourages formation of community-run Save Marian St Theatre Committee (SMST). Community consultation by Evelyn Mason & Associates on funding models.
- 2018 June – Community petition (3919 names) to preserve Marian St and allow SMST to raise funds.
- 2018 July – SMST presents Marian St Business Plan to Ku-ring-gai Council, unanimously accepted by Councillors. Cost c $10m. Ku-ring-gai Council considers alternative renovation models. Consensus reached for full renewal. Consultants adamant that Marian St was the right place, right size, recommend multifunctional space.
- 2019 Council commissions Options Report on Creative Arts Facilities: The Left Bank Report.
- 2019 KRG Council convenes Marian St Theatre Community Reference Group.
- 2020 DA 0144/20 lodged in May; amended plans lodged in April 2021. Cost $12m.
- 2021 11th August 2021 DA 0144/20 approved by Sydney North Planning Panel (5 years to August 2026).
- 2022 Cr Spencer proposes motion to rezone and sell 2A Marian St, motion lapses with no seconder.
- 2023 Cr Lennon motion to seek alternative funding through the Special Rates Variation defeated. Cost c $26m.
- 2023 Ku-ring-gai Council commissions “Soft Tread” – consultants to examine cost of reopening without rebuild.
- 2024 SMST becomes Marian St Action (Arts and Culture Together In Our Neighbourhood).
- 2024 Ku-ring-gai Council convenes Arts and Cultural Community Reference Committee.
- 2024 Ku-ring-gai Council notes Hydromedial Feasibility Report $7m – $15m ‘band aid’ solution.
- 2024 Ku-ring-gai Council applies for $15m “Thriving Suburbs” Federal Government Grant (Department of Infrastructure). Unsuccessful.
FAQs
Why have a theatre at Marian St with so many other options available?
Marian Street is a unique, special space. Chatswood offers three professional venues, including two at the Concourse and the Zenith Theatre. While these venues can accommodate large audiences, they lack the strong community connection enjoyed by Marian Street, which has a longstanding relationship with the local community. The Marian Street venue, with its 250 seats, provides an ideal space for intimate, unique, and exceptional events that are welcoming to the community, and for community hirers, while also being suitable for professional artists. Additionally, Ku-ring-gai should prioritise the arts to enhance its appeal as a liveable area, addressing the needs of both young and older residents. The convenient location of Marian Street, being on a train line, offers accessibility beyond the Ku-ring-gai area and the neighbouring park adds to its unique appeal, making it perfect for families to create lasting memories for generations to come.
Is there even a demand from the community and arts companies for this theatre?
Sydney has been facing a shortage of arts spaces, as highlighted in the recent NSW arts policy. The data from Creative Australia in 2022 shows that 97% of Australians engage in the arts, with 44% of them actively participating in creating art, and young people the most involved in creation. This is important for Ku-ring-gai which has a high population of children and young people. People from historically excluded communities are highly engaged in the arts but often express that cultural and creative experiences are not inclusive. Considering that Ku-ring-gai has a high percentage of overseas-born residents, it is crucial to establish inclusive spaces for everyone to come together and connect.
The community has been vocal about their desire for Marian Street Theatre, as evidenced by the Straight Talk Report in August 2015, a petition with 3,919 signatures in June 2018, and the ongoing efforts of community groups pressing for the reopening of the closed building. The venue holds great appeal for arts companies, especially due to its location and community connection. There is a shift in the approach to programming performances, and diverse hirers have shown interest in utilising the venue, as outlined in the previously submitted Marian St Business Plan from July 2018.
It costs too much. How will it be paid for?
The original renovation costs have already significantly increased, due to both the compounding effect of inflation over decades and the recent surge in demand for building supplies and labour. As the community would be unlikely to accept a demolition of the building for another purpose (such as apartments), the only option is to renovate and reopen the building. Costs will only continue to rise over time, so it’s crucial to start the work now.
Our goal is to obtain a commitment from Ku-ring-gai Council to cover one-third of the costs, gather support from the local community and established arts and cultural philanthropists to fund another third, and seek state and federal government support for the remaining third.
Could combining apartments and a theatre, like at the Zenith, be an alternative option?
To build apartments on top of a theatre/community arts and cultural centre, the old Marian Street building would need to be demolished. This would remove the historical ambience of the site and would likely delay any progress for approximately 5 years while a new development application (DA) is prepared. Additionally, if the council sold the site to a developer, it might be challenging to control what happens thereafter. Once a building is demolished, there are no certainties about what will be built in its place, or if anything will be built at all. Losing the theatre building would also lose all physical evidence of its irreplaceable, resonant histor.
Additionally, it would be very challenging to cater to both the theatre’s operations and the needs of apartment dwellers to their satisfaction.
Could the Lindfield Hub or other facilities be used instead?
Unfortunately, the Lindfield Hub failed to secure state government funding, and the site was deemed unsuitable by the NSW transport grant. There are few community halls in the area, none of which are suitable for professional theatre. Marian St is shovel-ready, and pursuing other options will take significant time to progress to the same stage. Therefore, incorporating a theatre into the Lindfield hub or other facilities seems both unlikely to occur, and unlikely to meet the community’s needs in a timely fashion.
What if it’s not built? Why not turn it into apartments?
The community uproar would be significant and cause irreparable harm to Ku-ring-gai Council in the eyes of the community. In August 2022, it was put to the current Councillors to sell the building, which was unanimously rejected. If the building can’t be sold and used for another purpose, there is only one option – renovate and reopen Marian St Theatre. The costs will only increase as time continues.
Why does it require such a significant investment?
Building costs have increased by 27.6% since the start of the pandemic when the design was developed. Due to inaction and delays, costs for Marian St have risen and will continue to do so with further delays. The longer we wait, the higher the costs. In addition, the property hasn’t collected proper rent in over 10 years. We have the option to spend more money on additional plans or to proceed with the current plan. Notably, similar projects have seen significant investment, such as the $42 million spent on the Pavilion Performing Arts Centre overhaul in 2023 by Sutherland Shire, and the $188 million allocated for the Parramatta Riverside renewal due for reopening in 2028. In comparison, while a smaller venue, the Marian St project is projected to be $28m by the most recent estimates.
Could the theatre simply be reopened at a lower cost instead of these proposed plans?
A minimalist reopening would likely cost between $7 million and $15 million, according to the feasibility report estimates presented at the July 2024 Council. The minimalist re-opening would also not enable the main theatre space to be used as a theatre. Given these findings, Council reaffirmed its support for the approved redevelopment plan under Development Application DA 0144/20.
The current redevelopment plan is designed to create a space that not only restores the theatre but also future-proofs it as a vibrant cultural hub, ensuring it meets the long-term needs of the community. The new designs provide greater flexibility, more spaces for different uses, and a venue that can inspire and engage a broad range of artistic and cultural activities.
Council is committed to moving forward with this vision and is working towards substantial commencement of the redevelopment by 19 August 2026 to preserve the existing development consent.
Would the theatre be financially sustainable, or would it lead to a loss each year?
Like sports fields, ovals, libraries, and recreation centres, Marian Street Theatre is a community asset, not a commercial venture. It will require ongoing Council support—as do all cultural and recreational facilities—because theatre, by nature, is not a high-revenue activity.
Ku-ring-gai Council already maintains 67 tennis courts, 44 bookable sports fields, two public golf courses, and a fitness and aquatic centre, but no dedicated performing arts venue. The NSW Creative Communities Policy (2023) identified a shortage of such spaces, and in Ku-ring-gai, the only public arts venue—Roseville Arts Centre—is visual arts-focused.
Marian Street Theatre would address this gap, providing a home for performance, community room hire, rehearsals, and workshops, diversifying its income but never operating as a for-profit entity. Glen Street Theatre, a comparable venue, attracts 65,000 visitors annually across 200+ performances.
In 2024, Council has already invested $26.6 million in two basketball courts inside St Ives High School, with a $3.5 million state government contribution. A comparable investment in performing arts would bring balance to the community’s infrastructure. Investing in a publicly funded cultural hub like Marian Street Theatre ensures the performing arts remain accessible, just as Council ensures sports and recreation are available to all.
What’s the difference between Marian St Theatre for Young People (MSTYP) and Marian St Theatre?
MSTYP is a performing arts organisation, and Marian St Theatre is a building.
MSTYP originated from the children’s arm of the Marian St Theatre Company, and was resident in the building until 2013 when it was shut. It continues to run drama classes and youth programs, and children’s theatre productions.
Marian St Theatre ACTION is a separate organisation, whose purpose is to raise the support needed to reopen Marian St Theatre.
Could the construction of the theatre lead to a loss of green space?
No. Not one foot of community space will be lost.
The approved design preserves all primary trees and ensures that every foot of public land remains accessible. The Development Application, which carefully addressed tree protection and green space retention, was approved by the Sydney North Planning Panel in 2021—with this issue as a key consideration.