Nearly 100-year-old Port Lincoln cinema facing demolition to make way for $12m new civic centre
A nearly 100-year-old regional cinema could be demolished to make way for a new $12m council hub – and some locals say the town’s history is under threat.
Port Lincoln
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A 92-year-old Art Deco cinema in Port Lincoln is facing demolition, angering some residents.
The local council wants to raze the historic cinema, on the corner of Adelaide Place and Hallett Place, to make way for a $12m civic centre.
Film fans Anna van der Hart and Kellie Grace are among many worried that the loss of the Lincoln Cinema will leave a gap in the town’s history.
“The building itself is iconic,” Ms van der Hart said.
“There are only about 50 left in Australia and the council could make it a part of cinema tourism.”
The proposed civic centre project, which would include a new library, visitor centre, a 50-seat boutique cinema and a cafe, is part of a $32m Port Lincoln Council vision to revamp the town.
However the projects hinge on the council securing up to $18m in funding support from the State and Federal Governments.
The current cinema could cater for more than 600 patrons, pre-COVID restrictions.
Ms van der Hart was cautious about what losing the historic building would truly mean for the town.
“I believe people don’t realise what they could lose if they don’t take this seriously,” she said.
“It’s layers of history we should be proud of, the council needs to be more creative and be proud of these layers of history, it’s a legacy for the future.”
Built in 1929, the building has graced the corner of Adelaide and Hallett Place for nearly a century and was bought by the council in 2014 with a view to redevelop the site.
According to a council report, the cinema was not viewed as a core requirement while a former Bapist church would also be demolished under the plan.
Ms Grace said it was imperative people had their say on the proposal.
“This needs people who are passionate about saving it because it is one of those things where you turn around and they have demolished it overnight,” she said.
Port Lincoln chief executive Matthew Morgan said feasibility of preserving the existing buildings made keeping them very challenging.
“Council understands that there will be a wide range of views on these projects and this is why council is seeking feedback and has an active community consultation process until 19 February,” Mr Morgan said.
“There has been consultation on these projects in various forms in recent years – particularly through the master planning process.”
Mr Morgan said, if the project proceeded, the council would document, photograph and preserve the history of the site and buildings through interpretative signage on site.
Plans and drawings for the civic centre and foreshore redevelopments have been released and will be open for community feedback until Friday, February 19
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