Wollondilly’s amazing new 350+ seat Performing Arts Centre is one step closer to becoming a reality, following independent approval of the development application by the NSW Planning Panel last week. Council is now calling for tenders for the construction of the Performing Arts Centre, which is the crucial next phase of Stage 1 of the Wollondilly Cultural Precinct. The beautiful new building will provide a state-of-the-art local venue for music, theatre, exhibitions and civic events, and will be a major injection into the cultural life of Picton and the wider Wollondilly area.

Joint media releaseConstruction is officially underway on a new children’s services building, in a major milestone for the highly anticipated Wollondilly Cultural Precinct. The Morrison Government and Perrottet Government have each committed $814,784 to the new fit-for-purpose children’s services building, with Wollondilly Shire Council contributing a further $1,268,470. The project is funded under the Western Parkland City Liveability Program as part of the Western Sydney City Deal. The Western Sydney City Deal is a partnership between the three levels of government overseen by Minister Fletcher, Minister Ayres and the eight mayors of the Western Parkland City.

We are excited to have achieved a significant milestone in submitting a Development Application for the proposed Wollondilly Performing Arts Centre (WPAC) on the corner of Colden Street and Menangle Street in Picton. The Performing Arts Centre is the centrepiece of the Wollondilly Cultural Precinct project, providing a landmark venue and entertainment programming currently unavailable in the Shire.

After a substantial amount of work, including restoration of some original features that were uncovered along the way, the Shire Hall Early Works program has been completed and we are moving into the next phase. Council has recently engaged a builder to construct a new kitchen and toilet amenities. These will be located on the library side of the main hall. The Council meeting chambers will also be relocated from the current Administration Building to the space formerly occupied by the Family Day Care offices at the front of the Shire Hall.

Wollondilly Council will consider the concept design for an exciting new performance space in Picton, part of the Wollondilly Community Cultural and Civic Precinct, at its next Council meeting. The Performing Arts Centre is a 350 seat multi-format performance venue to be delivered in Stage 1 of the master plan for the Precinct, which has become a reality with the help of funding from the Western Sydney City Deals Liveability program. Mayor Robert Khan said, “The new auditorium will deliver modern facilities to meet the needs of our rapidly growing community.

With early works for Stage 1 already under way, Council is excited to be moving forward with the planning for Stage 2 of the Wollondilly Community, Cultural & Civic Precinct. Stage 2 will deliver a new and flexible Council Services Centre, more parking options (including basement parking) and new public spaces.

With great excitement, Wollondilly Council has announced the successful appointment of Williams Ross Architects for the design of the Wollondilly Community, Cultural and Civic Precinct. Council is keen to maintain momentum on this priority project, which will help kick-start the local economy following the impacts of COVID-19. The appointment of the architect is a crucial step. The construction of the Precinct will provide an economic stimulus, creating more jobs in the Shire and giving a boost to local businesses now and into the future, as well as providing an important community space.

Local economic stimulus, construction jobs and more employment in Picton town centre for the broader Wollondilly community are on the agenda when Council considers a plan to accelerate the Wollondilly Community, Cultural and Civic Precinct project at its 19 May meeting. The plan is part of Wollondilly’s strategy to kick-start the local economy through infrastructure investment and small business support, as well as to support residents in financial hardship due to the economic impacts of Covid-19. Construction works for Stage 1 of the project are planned to start in the coming month and are fully funded, including $10.

Wollondilly Council has been granted $13 million under the Western City Deal Liveability Fund which will go towards delivery of two major community infrastructure projects, the Wollondilly Community, Cultural and Civic Precinct redevelopment and upgrades to Tahmoor Sporting Complex. Mayor Matthew Deeth said, “Thanks to the collaboration of Commonwealth, State and 8 local governments we can do more than we’ve ever done for our community. This grant will enable us to build great new infrastructure for our community which frees up our other resources to upgrading our roads as well”.