Wyndham City is preparing to breathe new life into one of Werribee’s most recognisable historic sites, with plans to restore the former Palais Theatre in Station Place to its original glory as a cinema.
The Picture Palais first opened in 1928, becoming a cherished part of local life through decades of film screenings and community gatherings. The site, which has had several transformations since, will soon become vacant, opening the door for a new chapter in the city centre’s revitalisation.
Wyndham City Mayor, Cr Mia Shaw, said the move was part of a broader vision to re-energise the Werribee City Centre. “In early 2024, Wyndham City made a strategic decision to purchase the former Palais Theatre site in Station Place to protect this important piece of Werribee’s history and guide the type of development that we will see there in the future,” Cr Shaw said.
“With the site due to become vacant by the end of the year, we now intend to explore the feasibility of returning the Palais to its former glory as a cinema, including restoration of its historic façade.”
The current tenants, Cash Converters, will relocate to a new location on Watton Street in the coming months, freeing up the Station Place site for redevelopment.
Cr Shaw said residents had been vocal about wanting more attractions in the city centre. “Our community has been clear—they want a city centre that’s vibrant, safe and offers more to see and do, and this site represents a significant opportunity to boost activity and vibrancy in the City Centre,” she said.
The proposed revival of the Palais Theatre aligns with the endorsed Werribee City Centre Structure Plan, which identifies a boutique cinema as a potential catalyst for renewal. It forms part of the Council’s broader Rediscover Werribee City Centre program, which is focused on enhancing heritage value while attracting new activity to the precinct.
“This builds on recent City Centre investments including a $10 million redevelopment of the Wyndham Cultural Centre, the $13 million redevelopment of Wyndham Park, the reactivation of the Bridge Hotel, and delivery of the Hunter Werribee building with Holiday Inn, offices, shops and public parking,” Cr Shaw said.
“We have also recently awarded the construction contract for the $2 million Duncans Road streetscape upgrade—which will deliver brand-new bluestone footpaths, feature seating platforms, landscaping, a raised pedestrian crossing and more—with works to kick off in early 2026.”
The Council’s focus on the Palais Theatre marks another step in Werribee’s ongoing transformation, balancing respect for local heritage with a clear push towards a livelier, more connected city centre.
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