ROLEYSTONE THEATRE —
CLOSURE
1269. Hon TIM CLIFFORD to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Heritage:
I refer to the decision taken by the
City of Armadale to close Roleystone Theatre.
(1) Has the
minister visited Roleystone Theatre and met with the Roleystone Theatre Group?
(2) Is the
minister aware that the heritage-listed theatre is a crucial community asset
and is at risk of being demolished through lack of available funding?
(3) Is the
minister aware that the theatre has community value over and above its heritage
listing—for example, it engages on average with 20 to 30 youths per
year, who rely on community services that the McGowan government would
otherwise need to provide?
Hon SUE ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) No.
(2) Roleystone
Theatre is not included in the state Register of Heritage Places. The theatre
is included in the City of Armadale's municipal heritage inventory with
a management category B. The City of Armadale has considered a range of options
focused on identifying how the building can continue to support the theatre
group and how the city can assist the theatre group in the short term. The city
is best placed to make this decision on behalf of its community.
(3) Yes, the city
has a strong interest in delivering a facility that is functional for community
theatre activities and is considering the building's listing on the
city's municipal heritage inventory and national trust register.