11 September 2012

Cinema promises for Gungahlin

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It makes little sense in the economics of cinemas (in which your correspondent worked for some years) for there not to be one in Gungahlin.

But it seems that is going to be rectified with Andrew Barr promising he’s getting started:

I am pleased to announce today that the Government will this week be seeking expressions of interest for the development of a mixed use indoor entertainment facility, which includes a cinema complex, within the Gungahlin Town Centre.

This new facility will be an exciting addition to the Gungahlin Town Centre, giving local residents more entertainment options.

It will also add to the other recreational facilities currently being constructed in the town centre such as the Gungahlin Leisure Centre and the Gungahlin Enclosed Oval.

This decision comes as a result of the strong community desire for a local cinema in Gungahlin and the ACT Labor Government’s commitment to ensuring that the community need for this facility is met in a timely way.

The Government has identified Block 1, Section 12 Gungahlin for release for this purpose – a site bounded by Hibberson, Hinder, Kate Crace and Efkarpidis Streets, which is within the main shopping and entertainment precincts of Gungahlin.

Once the expressions of interest have been assessed a decision will be made as to the most appropriate way to progress the project.

In a sane jurisdiction land would be purchased by a cinema chain off their own bat. But this is the ACT where everything has to be ear-marked, double-handled, held up for years, and then released for low advantage when opportune. (Not that we’re saying that is necessarily the case here)

Good news for Gungahlin though.

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ToastFliesRED said :

Won’t somebody please think of the parking

What’s wrong with using the bus? I hear like elsewhere in Canberra the bus network is brilliant, especially the time movies end on a Saturday night.

But speaking of parking wonder when paid parking will be introduced in Gungahlin. Bet the owners of the carparks would be chomping at their bits to be ‘forced’ into doing that. Just like how Westfield has not changed to 2 hour parking 7 days a week in Belconnen (and presumably Woden). How about a bit of equity between the towns.

gazket said :

more Labour waste

How much does a press release cost? Because that’s the only cost!

I mean to say it’s not like they are actually building the cinema, they are just identifying a block to house it on, presumably to be built and operated by a private developer.

Jivrashia said :

lizw said :

but after living in Gungahlin for 20 years

Are you that cow I saw in the paddock?
Because that’s all I remember about Gungahlin 20 years ago…

Your memory is not very good. Apart from the first suburbs going in over 20 years ago (building commenced late ’89 or early ’90) the paddocks out that way had sheep not cows! They are different animals you know.

gazket said :

more Labour waste

OK, you sucked me in. How on earth do you figure releasing a block of land for sale is waste?

more Labour waste

PrinceOfAles9:33 pm 11 Sep 12

futto said :

I agree that I do find it weird that the government is announcing this. I did not know that the government regulated cinema licences and land release.

I wonder what the Pirate Party’s policy is regarding new cinemas would be.

I`m sure they will suport it as long as every Thursday they have screenings of The Goonies.

Every major centre except Gungers has a cinema.

rosscoact said :

voytek3 said :

Who cares in the slightest? Can we build a wall around Gungahlin too? Anyone that lives there is about as tasteful as about as tasteful as a 19 year old Canberran.

LOLZ, the bitterness is strong in this troll

The bitterness is what gives the troll it’s power.

Gungahlin Al8:19 pm 11 Sep 12

This is one of the key things I’ve been lobbying for, for several years now in my GCC role. Our community surveys always had this issue coming to the fore, so we pushed it at every chance with David Dawes the boss of EDD and in his previous role.

This block was the one I’ve always talked about with David, so I’m happy to see that, with the key blockage being to just release the block to the market.

One thing to consider though. This is a Town Core block – CZ1. It’s meant to be largish scale commercial/retail development. It won’t be just a free standing cinema complex. To do that would be a massive under- utilisation of scarce land.

voytek3 said :

Who cares in the slightest? Can we build a wall around Gungahlin too? Anyone that lives there is about as tasteful as about as tasteful as a 19 year old Canberran.

LOLZ, the bitterness is strong in this troll

Who cares in the slightest? Can we build a wall around Gungahlin too? Anyone that lives there is about as tasteful as about as tasteful as a 19 year old Canberran.

futto said :

I agree that I do find it weird that the government is announcing this. I did not know that the government regulated land release.
.

Um, really? ACT Government releases all land and that land always has a lease purpose clause. In this case it would be cinema

Duffbowl said :

I have concerns about the following:
– Social Impact;
– Traffic and noise;
– Public Interest;
– Bulk scale and height.

What’s the capacity going to be?

Is there somewhere I can attend a private closed-door meeting on this matter?

Where are the Concerned Citizens of Canberra when you need them?

Not that it required one to be a genius to work out the real Concerned Citizens of Canberra agenda…. maybe the cinema needs to say it will dedicate one night a week to movies with gay themes and another night of the week for movies in Arabic and Farsi, to get them interested…..

Lego ninja Meegan Fitzharris has expressed her joy at this development.

I agree that I do find it weird that the government is announcing this. I did not know that the government regulated cinema licences and land release.

I wonder what the Pirate Party’s policy is regarding new cinemas would be.

I have concerns about the following:
– Social Impact;
– Traffic and noise;
– Public Interest;
– Bulk scale and height.

What’s the capacity going to be?

Is there somewhere I can attend a private closed-door meeting on this matter?

Where are the Concerned Citizens of Canberra when you need them?

Are you that cow I saw in the paddock?
Because that’s all I remember about Gungahlin 20 years ago…

Palmerston was developed just over 20 years ago. When we came here in September 1992 we were in the first 100 homes occupied. Our development was part of Palmerston Stage 3.

The natives are getting restless, deploy the bread and circuses!

lizw said :

but after living in Gungahlin for 20 years

Are you that cow I saw in the paddock?
Because that’s all I remember about Gungahlin 20 years ago…

It would be wonderful, but after living in Gungahlin for 20 years and being promised so much by both Labor and Liberal Governments, I’m not holding my breath.

colourful sydney racing identity2:46 pm 11 Sep 12

um….

ToastFliesRED2:39 pm 11 Sep 12

Won’t somebody please think of the parking

Ugh….

It’s “there”, not “their”.

“…for their not to be one in Gungahlin”.

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