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With the next state election approaching, the community is urging the NSW Government to help deliver a $30 million cultural and performing arts centre after 13 years of waiting.

The NSW Government is being asked to partner with Ku-ring-gai Council and the community to rebuild the old Marian Street Theatre and deliver a permanent cultural and performing arts centre for Sydney’s North Shore.

The project offers the Minns Government a visible, community-backed opportunity to deliver lasting infrastructure before the election — supporting children, young people, performers, creatives, schools and audiences.

Closed since 2013, Marian Street Theatre has nurtured generations of performers and audiences. Its community has continued campaigning despite the loss of its building.

Last month, the community raised $100,000 within a week, securing the Development Application indefinitely and keeping the project alive while funding is assembled.

Ku-ring-gai Council is expected to contribute half the project cost, once government and philanthropic partners contribute the balance.

Council’s financial planning identifies a proposed $30 million multi-use arts venue incorporating performance and rehearsal spaces.

The proposal is evolving into a community cultural and performing arts centre — not simply a hall.

It could provide performance and rehearsal spaces, creative development, classes and workshops for children and young people, school partnerships, accessible cultural participation, and a home for community and professional productions.

Jessica Blaxland Ashby, founding member of the Marian St Action Board, delivered a community petition to the NSW Parliament with 5827 signatures, 50% more than a similar petition in 2018.

The campaign thanks local State MP Matt Cross for supporting the vision and the community petition.

But after 13 years of waiting, the community says the time for government action has arrived.

“In 2026 people need more than housing and transport. They need places to participate, create, connect and belong,” said Jessica Blaxland Ashby.

“With an election approaching, every party will want to demonstrate what it can deliver. This project has strong community backing, a clear plan and a council commitment to fund half the cost once government and philanthropic partners contribute the balance.

“The community has already put its own money behind this project. Council needs to contribute half the cost. We are asking the Minns Government to partner with us and help turn this long-standing vision into a real, visible achievement.”

The campaign says Marian Street Arts Centre would give the government an opportunity to deliver practical cultural infrastructure and create a legacy for future generations.

“Bradfield helped build the rail network that still defines Sydney, and his contribution has never been forgotten,” said Tony Bates, Acting Chair of the MarianSt Action Board.

“We need leaders prepared to invest in the infrastructure that shapes the future of our city.

“Marian Street Arts Centre could be that kind of achievement: not simply a building, but a place where thousands of children and young people discover confidence, creativity and belonging.

“After an exceptionally long interval of 13 years, the community is ready to help deliver it. We are asking the Minns Government to commit to Marian Street Arts Centre as a tangible investment in the North Shore before the next election.”

Will the Minns Government partner with the community and Council to build the next generation’s theatre?

Petition Details
House: Legislative Assembly
Petitioner: Ms Jessica Blaxland Ashby
Member: Matt Cross
Number of signatories: 5827
Closing date: Tue 08 September 2026
Status: Tabled 15 September 2028

Petition text
To the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly,
Marian St Theatre has been closed for 13 years.
Meanwhile, the owner, Ku-ring-gai Council, has continued to invest heavily in sporting infrastructure, supporting 44 sports fields, 67 tennis courts, two golf courses, and more. But for the arts? Only one small visual art centre.
This imbalance matters.
The arts are not a niche interest. More Australians attend live performances than all of our major sporting codes combined. In Ku-ring-gai, more than 60,000 residents actively participate in the arts, and the area’s population is expected to grow by 27% over the next 15 years.
NSW’s Creative Communities Policy identifies a critical need for more arts spaces like Marian St Theatre. Overwhelming evidence shows the arts strengthen community identity, support education and contribute to a thriving economy.
The approved design to reopen Marian St as a vibrant Arts Centre includes four purpose-built performance spaces for music, dance, theatre, exhibitions and community events. Yet the project remains on hold, ranked as the Council’s lowest funding priority, behind another sports facility, costing over $30 million.
We ask the Legislative Assembly to call on the Government to work with Ku-ring-gai Council to commit to a clear plan to open Marian St Arts Centre within three years as essential cultural infrastructure.

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