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NEWSREEL THEATRE NEWS
CINEMA AND

NEW SOUTH WALES

BIRMINGHAM GARDENS: Owners of the
Regal Cinema (closed in 2006), Newcastle
Council transferred the building to a community
trust in August and a $141,700 state government TWEED HEADS: A rezoning application MOUNT VICTORIA: The future of Mount
grant will help the “Friends of the Regal” group has been lodged to enable the former Vic Flicks is in doubt with the long-time
prepare for re-opening later this year.
Tweed Heads Drive-In Theatre site to be operators deciding to bow-out due to the
redeveloped as a large business park. With high cost of digital conversion.
BYRON BAY: The three-screen Dendy original theatre buildings, screen and ramps
Cinemas are to close at the end of their lease still in situ, the site has been in use as a
in October. The property owner is hoping to garden nursery for many years.
attract a new operator but does not rule out
conversion of the building to other use. BLACKTOWN: High-end digital
projection came to Hoyts Blacktown in
July. Xtremescreen in Cinema 5 features the
use of Christie Duo technology - two digital
projectors to deliver the brightest, pixel-
perfect image on a 28.1 metre wide screen.

PARKES: Closed in 1988, the former Western NEWTOWN: The closed live Newtown
Twin-Cities Drive-In Theatre was farewelled Theatre was re-opened by a local thespian
on July 6 with a car club movie night utilising on April 27. Renovated and revamped as
a portable screen and digital projection. The site the King Street Theatre, the site now also
has now been cleared for the construction of a includes a new 60-seat flexible studio.
large Masters Home Improvement Centre.
PETERSHAM: The former Majestic Theatre QUEENSLAND
building was unveiled at the end of June as
Sydney's newest apartment development. TOOWOOMBA: In a $5.5 million project,
The interior now houses 27 units behind the the Empire Theatre will receive $2 million
heritage-listed theatre façade. of funding to build a 350-seat state-of-the-
art black box theatre to compliment the
KYOGLE: The Richmond Valley Cinema historic complex.
reopened February 14 after a local development
organisation secured a three year lease from the BUNDABERG: Regular outdoor Drive-
former owner/operators. It was relaunched as In Movies are hoped to be shown
Kyogle Community Cinemas, using for the monthly at the Innes Park Country Club
first time, all three of its screens. with the first night held in the grounds on
September 15.
DUNGOG: Regular cinema screenings have
returned to the council-owned James Theatre FORTITUDE VALLEY: An August
now that digital projection equipment has been auction of the Tivoli Theatre, a live-
installed. The theatre also continues to host the MUDGEE: There have been vigorous music and concert venue was cancelled
popular annual Dungog Film Festival. renewed calls for council to purchase the due to negotiations for the sale of the
closed Regent Theatre for conversion to a property freehold. Located in a 1917
PADDINGTON: From Monday August 4, twin auditorium community-run cinema and former bakery building the business
Palace Verona Cinemas made the switch to performance space. Council prefer to try remains on the market but may make way
digital projection. movies at their rebuilt Town Hall space. for site redevelopment.

CINEM AREC ORD 2012 7