Avoca Theatre Preservation Inc has been putting forward plans for a two-screen complex at the Avoca Beach Picture Theatre since 2004, according to spokesperson, Mr Mike Rubbo.
Mr Rubbo was responding to statements made in the Coast Community News on September 9 (Sawtell a good example for Avoca) by Mr Norman Hunter, that opponents to plans to redevelop the site had not put forward an alternative proposal.
“We have been very clear as to what we think the solution is, what will allow the heritage charm of the theatre to be preserved and let it expand as well,” Mr Rubbo said. “It’s the two screen solution successfully adopted by other heritage cinemas in NSW,” he said.
“We first proposed this idea around 2004, encouraged by Ms Lynda Hansen who was operating the cinema at that time and did so for almost 10 years.
“Around 2005, we tested our idea with theatre patrons, giving them a choice between the Hunter design of the time and a sketch, much like our present offering, and the vote was clear: 160 for the Hunter design and over 5,000 for our two screen proposal.”
According to Avoca Theatre Preservation Inc, there are over 30 small cinemas in NSW. “Several have added second screens as we propose, and others wish to do so. “Ms Hansen said the challenge is to balance charm and choice.
“What do you want: five screens with lots of choice but with your cinema a rabbit warren of lobbies, stairs and lifts, or a friendly cosy venue, suitable to the site and a few less movies?
“She sees no economic necessity for more than two and believes they are doing quite well even as a single screen. “She was paying them, as her landlord, $6,000 a month in rent, had no liquor licence, was giving free tea and coffee, and still making a profit.
“Our two screen suggestion is practical and yet we are accused of offering nothing, of just being spoilers.
“To go the extra mile, we’ve employed a graphics company to take our sketch of 2004 and draw up what a two screen solution could look like if done more professionally.”
The brief given to the graphic artist was to retain the heritage charm of the balcony and French doors. The designer was instructed to add the second screen on the northern side in harmony with the main theatre.
The two-theatre concept plans also include a small cafe with ocean views across the park and residential units at the back, but with a roofline in harmony with the whole and no higher than the two storeys that zoning allows.
“Our proposal would involve adding only a small number of seats. “Theatre two might have 50 or 60 seats and thus not increase the pressure on parking which is a huge problem in Avoca.”
According to Mr Rubbo, the current theatre proprietor, Mr Norman Hunter has ignored the twoscreen initiative in addition to being unhelpful on heritage issues. He has asked Mr Hunter to name the well-known heritage architect he worked with to develop his plans for the redevelopment of the theatre.
“Who is this heritage architect and how is it that his views are so far out of line with both the National Trust and the NSW state heritage office?” Mr Rubbo said.
The theatre is listed with The National Trust,” Mr Rubbo said. “As far back as 2004, when the Hunters wanted just three screens and a convention centre on the site, the National Trust said the ‘scale and mass of the development proposed is wholly inappropriate for this sensitive site and will only lead to a development that will detract from the simple architecture of the theatre and destroy its setting and therefore its meaning and relevance.
“‘As a pivotal an important local landmark, the trust urges Council not to proceed with this draft LEP.’”
According to Mr Rubbo, the NSW Heritage Office wrote to Gosford Council in 2005 that the proposed redevelopment was “an over development of the site and out of scale in terms of the existing cinema building. “It is further recommended that the cinema and its curtilage be listed as a heritage item on the Council’s LEP.”
Mr Rubbo said: “Probably because no one at Council listened, the NSW heritage minister, Mr Mark Speakman, has now put what’s called an Interim Heritage Order on the theatre which means it will be assessed yet again.
“Council voted almost unanimously against the developer’s DA, fi nding that it was non-compliant on seven counts. “Instead of trying to enlist people against this sensible decision, the Hunters, if unhappy, should resubmit a more modest proposal, based on the rules and perhaps along the lines we are suggesting.
“They should also accept the verdict of the Minister that the theatre be assessed for its heritage value instead of trying to shut off that process via Mr Crouch, the member for Terrigal.
“It would be great if Norman and Beth Hunter could celebrate the historic aspects of their wonderful theatre as other heritage theatres are doing. “Sawtell and Narooma are examples and the opportunity is still alive to work with the community instead of dividing it,” he said.
Media release, Oct 2, 2015
Mike Rubbo, Avoca
Theatre Preservation Inc