Port Lincoln masterplan and proposed civic centre developments spark council debate

A $32m vision to transform Port Lincoln – including demolition of the town’s nearly 100-year-old cinema – has sparked a two-hour discussion at the local council.

Port Lincoln March council meeting. Picture: Emily Jarvis

A $32m vision to transform Port Lincoln – including demolition of the town’s 100-year-old cinema – has sparked a two-hour discussion at the local council.

Debated raged at Monday night’s Port Lincoln City Council meeting over the proposed project, which would involve razing the historic cinema to make way for a $12m civic centre.

It would include a new library, visitor centre, a 50-seat boutique cinema and a cafe.

However the plans hinge on the council securing up to $18m in funding support from the State and Federal Governments.

Port Lincoln City councillors along with Mayor Brad Flaherty and chief executive Matthew Morgan received an array of deputations on Monday night.

The Port Lincoln News has broken down the argument from three sides of the debate.

THE OWNERS

After saving the cinema from closure back in 2019, Angela Perin and partner Steven Tokarski took on the task to keep the country cinema alive.

While they are sad at the possibility of the iconic Flinders Picture Theatre no longer gracing the corner of Adelaide Place and Hallett Place, the idea of a new, highly functional space, they believe could lead to bigger and brighter opportunities.

Lincoln Cinema on 3 Hallett Place. Picture: Emily Jarvis

“The vibrancy of the new development has the capacity to create a positive entertaining experience for both locals and visitors alike,” Ms Perin said.

“We love the building that we are in at the moment but we are very aware that there are issues within the building that are not easy fixes.

“Issues with pipes, plumbing, floor boards, the kitchenette isn’t utilized at all other than us to store stuff.”

With the current cinema’s capacity capping at 180 seats, Ms Perin and her staff were open to using the space for more than just movies, with the potential to host schoolchildren and university lectures.

“We would look at having a 60-70 screening room and then a smaller space which can then be utilized for a dual purpose,” Ms Perin said.

“From a business perspective, a new cinema with two screens will certainly make a business that is currently making ends meat, it would make it a much more viable business, it would generate much more people coming in, tap into universities to come in a use the lecture space.

“We don’t have that capacity right now in what we’ve got at present, something new that is purpose built will certainly give us that opportunity.”

THE COMMUNITY

Co-founder of the newly established Port Lincoln Action group Diana Mislov was met with an applause at the end of her deputation by the gallery after expressing the community’s disappointment in the council transparency surrounding the projects.

“There was a lot of misinformation being talked about,” Ms Mislov said.

“The community were surprised that given the length and conversation consultation undertaken by council to comply with the Jensen master plan, that the same time was not spent on these projects.”

The former councillor has been active in uniting Port Lincoln and surrounding locals to voice their opinion, orchestrating a community meeting at the end of January which drew over 130

rate payers.

Diana Mislov and the Port Lincoln Action group. Picture: Emily Jarvis

“We had a successful turnout for the meeting with both positive and negatives raised and general discussion on each of the projects,” she said.

“There was an overwhelming feeling of lack of representation at the council by those who attended, they (the community) felt as though they were not consulted, not regarded, no one was listening and no one cared.”

With a petition with over 1000 signatures for council to reconsider their plans, Ms Mislov believes this is a clear indication of what the people of Port Lincoln want done with their town.

“Councillors you know have the opportunity to reflect on the feedback, please consider your influence,” she pleaded.

“It was disappointing to hear the mayor presented to senior pensioners but not the community similarly the CEO met with schoolchildren but not the community.”

“We know there are still a lot of ifs, buts and maybes but please let the community be apart of the conversation.”

THE COUNCIL

With the chance to address the community after both deputations and receiving petitions from the community, chief executive Matthew Morgan cleared the air on what has been a heavily criticised project.

“Council has received an overwhelming response to this consultation process,” he said.

“The decision was made as part of the process that effectively council could pull forward projects if it wanted to capitalise on the funding opportunities under the governments local infrastructure project.”

Concept images of Lincoln's proposed $12m library hub upgrade. PIC: Port Lincoln Council

Mr Morgan acknowledged the communities discomfort in the announcement but said the council’s hands were tied due to confidentiality agreements.

“It wasn’t possible for us in the eight weeks from the end of November through to the end of January to fully explore all options and I make no apologies for that as CEO,” he said.

“What we did say from our special meetings and workshops that if there were clear mandate from the community from these consultation processes that there is a value on the buildings then that is something that will be considered as part of the final design process.

“This is the start of the vision, it’s not the end of the journey and the final conclusion.”

Both councillors Faye Davis and Linda Davies expressed their concerns over the upgrades to the corner of Hallett and Adelaide Place, with Cr Davis stating she believed there must be a more suitable location for the city’s new hub.

“I continue to not be in favour of this site, if this was in another location in Port Lincoln I would certainly be supporting it,” she said.

“Put the cinema to one side, put the buildings to one side, the location itself is a grave concern for me, I do not believe that this is the right location for our library or for our visitors centre.

“I have been consistent, right from the time we purchased this land and I have endeavoured to work very hard to keep an open mind and listen to what everyone has had to say.”

Council are still waiting to receive news from the State Government if its application in the first round of funding has been successful.