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BCC Cinemas Gordon St: How group is trying to save Art Deco building from demolition

Mackay’s last standing Art Deco-era cinema will likely be demolished unless this group of allies can save it from doom. Find out how and why they’re not giving up.

What remains of the original Civic Theatre at the BCC Mackay City Cinemas

The abandoned Mackay CBD cinema slated for demolition has a band of allies trying to save it from being relegated to just the history books.

Sugar City Art Deco and Modernist Society chairman Nicholas McDougall said they had written to BCC Cinemas pleading for a change of heart after the business received demolition approval in 2020.

“I think it’s such a shame that a company like Event Cinemas is going to spend the money to build a new cinema (at Caneland Central) when they could restore and preserve the character and heritage that we have here in Mackay,” Mr Dougall said.

He said he believed the company had made a commercial decision despite knowing what the building meant for many of the town’s residents who held fond memories.

Daniel Cunnington and Peter Bonanno visiting the BCC Cinemas Mackay on October 8, 2000 to watch Space Cowboys featuring Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones and Donald Sutherland. Picture: File
Daniel Cunnington and Peter Bonanno visiting the BCC Cinemas Mackay on October 8, 2000 to watch Space Cowboys featuring Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones and Donald Sutherland. Picture: File

Mr Dougall, who studied heritage and museums at university, said the Gordon St cinemas, formerly known as the Civic Theatre, also held historical value as the first North Queensland building to get airconditioning and Mackay’s last cinema built in the inter-war period to still stand.

Sugar City Art Deco and Modernist Society chairman Nicholas McDougall says it‘s a shame Mackay might lose the historic Art Deco cinema. Picture: Heidi Petith
Sugar City Art Deco and Modernist Society chairman Nicholas McDougall says it‘s a shame Mackay might lose the historic Art Deco cinema. Picture: Heidi Petith

Others that have come and gone include the Fourways along Nebo Rd where the Shell Service Station is now, The Strand Theatre, also on Nebo Rd, and the Princess Theatre on Victoria St.

The old Four Ways Cinema along Nebo Rd before it was demolished. Picture: Have you seen the old Mackay, via Facebook
The old Four Ways Cinema along Nebo Rd before it was demolished. Picture: Have you seen the old Mackay, via Facebook

“It was a testament to Mackay having so many theatres as it was a sense of escapism during the darkest times,” Mr Dougall said.

“Although Mackay was fairly, I don’t want to say sheltered by the great depression, (it) was slightly protected because the sugar prices were so good at the time.

“There was always that little bit of extra money and people spent that by going to these new modern ways of seeing the world.”

Dale Miinchow and Sally Marsden inside the BCC Cinemas Mackay for the International Film Festival. Picture: Lee Constable
Dale Miinchow and Sally Marsden inside the BCC Cinemas Mackay for the International Film Festival. Picture: Lee Constable

Mr Dougall said the society also asked BCC to consider, if not a demolition retreat, then a chance for members to go inside the building and document its history first including the original mosaic tiles and portholes from the projection room.

The Queensland Deco Project writes the portholes were designed to pay homage to great ocean liners symbolising “luxury and leisure in the modern era”.

Mr Dougall said it was disappointing to receive no reply and they had heard rumours toxic mould had permeated the building.

An artist’s impression of the current facade of BCC Cinemas Mackay from 1994. BCC bought the Civic Theatre from the Taylor family in 1972, refurbished it and then reopened it in 1975.
An artist’s impression of the current facade of BCC Cinemas Mackay from 1994. BCC bought the Civic Theatre from the Taylor family in 1972, refurbished it and then reopened it in 1975.

He said they would write again and rally the community through a petition to remind BCC that the benefits of preservation outweighed the costs.

A BCC Cinemas spokesman said it was a “difficult decision” to close its Gordon St building in December 2019 with the site currently listed for sale as the business considered options for its future.

He said the closure had allowed them to strongly commit to “reinvesting” in their North Mackay cinema which featured six stadium cinemas with “wall-to-wall” screens and “impressive” Dolby surround sound.

Sugar City Art Deco and Modernist Society chairman Nicholas McDougall at the abandoned BCC Cinemas on Gordon St. Pictured behind him are old advertising posters for movies showing at the Mt Pleasant cinemas. Picture: Heidi Petith
Sugar City Art Deco and Modernist Society chairman Nicholas McDougall at the abandoned BCC Cinemas on Gordon St. Pictured behind him are old advertising posters for movies showing at the Mt Pleasant cinemas. Picture: Heidi Petith

“BCC Cinemas Mackay North continues to bring customers the latest blockbusters and art house movies from around the globe, along with festivals and special events from the worlds of music, theatre, arts, sport and e-sport.”

Mr Dougall said the society was realistic about the commercial pressure behind a demolition but if it went ahead, they would then lobby Mackay Regional Council to ensure anything built in its place reflected Mackay’s art deco richness.

An Innisfail Art Deco building before Bunnings bought the site and turned it into a hardware store. The Sugar City Art Deco and Modernist Society members say it is possible for BCC Cinemas to keep their Art Deco site on Gordon St and make it viable.
An Innisfail Art Deco building before Bunnings bought the site and turned it into a hardware store. The Sugar City Art Deco and Modernist Society members say it is possible for BCC Cinemas to keep their Art Deco site on Gordon St and make it viable.

Councillor Fran Mann said the CBD was admired for its art deco history and she hoped whoever bought the site considered keeping the historical facade hiding underneath the current exterior.

“We have one of the largest (art deco) collections certainly within Australia, is my understanding,” Cr Mann said.

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/mackay/bcc-cinemas-gordon-st-how-group-is-trying-to-save-art-deco-building-from-demolition/news-story/233bfd569beaafd63058cf5ede65b1c5