Making Her Majesty’s Theatre more accessible

17/03/2023

Her Majesty’s Theatre in Ballarat will be safer and more accessible for theatre goers of all abilities, thanks to support from the Victorian Government.

Work has begun on Stage 3 of the restoration to ensure the nearly 150-year-old landmark meets modern standards. The upgrades are supported by $10 million from the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund.

Over the past 147 years, the heritage-listed theatre has become the cultural heart of Ballarat. When it was built, Lydiard Street was still a dirt road and performers were showered with gold nuggets.

As the oldest continually operational theatre in Australia, it has hosted local and international performances, entertaining millions of theatregoers.

While Her Majesty’s has been lovingly maintained over the years, the nineteenth-century theatre doesn’t meet modern requirements.

The works include installing new lifts, accessibility improvements, improved fire safety and a new box office. A backstage lift will also allow artists and performers needing an alternative to stairs to perform at the theatre.

Local firm Nicholson’s Constructions is completing the upgrades with work expected to be finished by the end of the year.  The project is supporting 21 full-time jobs during construction.

Essential remediation works, including external brick work and installing steel structural support beams to support the ongoing use of the building were carried out as part of Stages 1 and 2 of the project. Both stages were funded by the City of Ballarat and Heritage Victoria – providing $5.3 million and $2 million respectively.

The Government’s flagship Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund helps businesses create jobs in regional Victoria, supports community projects, and backs councils to build the infrastructure that locals and visitors need.

The Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund is part of the Government’s record investment of more than $36 billion in rural and regional Victoria since 2015. For more information visit Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund.