Not all Heritage matters are easy!

The Council was a reluctant participant in the Athenium Theatre project. Council was the proponent in a proposal to demolish the old theatre, in favour of a new medical centre. The proposed demolition caused fierce debate within the community. Ultimately the decision was taken out of Council hands when the NSW Heritage Office listed the Athenium Theatre as a building with State Heritage Significance. While Council opposed the listing, it has recognised the responsibility that comes with State Heritage Listing.

The Friends of the Athenium are a community-led group who actively campaigned for the retention of the building. They have equal representation on the Council’s Athenium Working Party. The working party was formed to oversee the development of a Masterplan for the site and to have that option fully costed. It engaged the services of a specialist architectural service in Canberra to undertake that function.

The Conservation Management Plan identifies the management and maintenance tasks, which arise as a result of the heritage significance of the Athenium Theatre.