Station Place could be spruced up and the former Palais Theatre reopened as part of a mammoth overhaul of Werribee’s CBD.
Kate Roffey, Wyndham city economy, innovation and liveability director, said the popularity of recent events at Station Place, including movies, live music, the Winter Street Party, Christmas activities and Easter egg hunts, had cemented the area as the heart of Werribee’s city centre.
“Events like these are helping to rejuvenate Station Place, with substantially more activities planned for the next 12 months,” Ms Roffey said.
“As residents are aware, the Cottrell and Cherry street level crossings will be removed in coming years … while we do not know what the final design of these works are going to be, they will have an impact on the city centre.
“When council has more information on these works we will look to develop a longer-term strategic plan for adjacent areas.”
Rumours have abounded that the former Palais Theatre in Station Place, currently occupied by a Cash Converters store on the ground level, could be refurbished and re-opened to the public as part of the revamp, but Ms Roffey said no firm plans were in place in this regard.
“While there have been indications of operator and community support for the former Palais Theatre to resume showing movies and live performances, this building is privately owned and reopening it as a theatre would require action to be taken by the owners,” she said.
“Booked out movie sessions in Station Place and the cultural centre have also demonstrated strong support for a cinema in the Werribee city centre.”
As reported by Star Weekly earlier this month, a slew of successful multi-storey planning applications will mean Werribee’s main street and its surrounds will soon be transformed.
To date, Wyndham council has approved 13 planning permits for multi-storey buildings within Werribee’s city centre, with another four to be assessed and even more expected, all in line with a Wyndham council plan to develop Riverbank Promenade behind Watton Street, where new apartments, restaurants and retail outlets are expected to overlook the Werribee River.
