The next Enmore Theatre is not where you expect
The venue narrowly dodged death by demolition a decade ago when Century Management, the owners of the Enmore Theatre and other venues across Sydney, purchased the building with a $12 million plan to restore it.
Now a $1 million heritage grant from the NSW government announced on Tuesday will bring the project to transform the old theatre into the equivalent of the Enmore in Newy, as the old industrial town is affectionately known, a little closer.
It is one of two Newcastle projects that have received a $1 million 'activating state heritage' grant to revitalise the city's centre and attract visitors, the largest grants made under the NSW program.
The second $1 million grant, to the Schwartz Family Company, will turn the old GPO by Walter Liberty Vernon into Australia's first Aboriginal medical museum and a community hub.
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The projects were among 140 grant recipients awarded a total of $8.65 million in the 2025-2027 round, announced by the NSW Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe to celebrate, preserve and revive historical projects and sites across the state. These range from changes to preserve culturally sensitive parts of Birubi Point Aboriginal Place to the conservation of the Bushranger Hotel in Goulburn.
Up 44 per cent on the 2023-2025 round of grants, the increase coincides with consultation on the government's draft heritage strategy, open for feedback until July 13. It has heard maintaining heritage is a 'black hole' of time, money and bureaucratic battles.
Sharpe said the record investment highlighted the government's commitment. 'Our many and diverse heritage places tell the stories of NSW. These heritage sites will also be a drawcard for visitors and beacons for local communities into the future.'
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