St Ives Showground drive-in cinema campaign meets a mixed response from planners
St Ives Showground would become a magnet for movie buffs and local families under a campaign to open the region’s first drive-in cinema. But the plans have been met with a mixed response from local planning authorities.
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A campaign to establish the north shore’s first drive-in cinema has been met with a mixed report card by local planning authorities as a petition in favour of the move reaches 1100 signatures.
A section of St Ives Showground would be sliced off and transformed into a 1950s style “drive-in” under a bold proposal lodged to Ku-ring-gai Council.
Supporters said the outdoor cinema would create a “community space” for families and movie lovers that would “make greater use of an under-utilised facility”.
The idea has been prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic with campaigners arguing the cinema would promote social distancing and could support elderly residents averse to sitting in packed movie theatres.
“The north shore and northern beaches do not currently have a drive-in – it would be an ideal entertainment venue,” petition organiser Isabelle Lewis said.
“This is particularly relevant in today’s COVID-19 climate where social distancing is important and will be in the future.”
The opening credits of the latest blockbusters, however, may not be rolling any time soon with Ku-ring-gai Council delivering a mixed response on the feasibility of the proposal.
The council’s director of community Janice Bevan said the cinema could have potential impacts on existing community and sporting clubs who regularly use the showgrounds.
Ms Bevan said an alternative option for a “pop-up” drive-in running over weekends could be considered on the proviso it was compatible with existing users.
The council said it has already received inquiries from major event firms keen on establishing a drive-in, however, companies have preferenced longer term setups of at least 4-6 weeks.
“Should an operator be satisfied with a shorter period of time for a pop-up drive-in theatre and submit a proposal it would be considered and assessed,” Ms Bevan said.
Supporters of the open-air cinema have urged the council to back the plan, saying it could become “a useful entertainment source as our world changes in terms of entertainment options.”
“I think it’s an awesome idea (and will) bring back wonderful memories,” Robbie Milwidsky said.
“Drive ins are litttt,” supporter Harry McCowage added.
The campaign states set-up would create local jobs and would have minimal noise impacts on surrounding residents by broadcasting sound via FM radio into cars.
There are also suggestions to have pop-up food trucks or “bearded bakers provide entertainment and desserts” with some residents saying “for too long there has been nothing to do in St Ives”.
The petition comes amid a renewed popularity in the drive-in theatres with new setups at Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter carpark and Blacktown screening to sellout audiences following their grand openings in May.
A drive-in cinema was previously set-up at a nearby site in French’s Forest until its closure in 1984 after screening hundreds of films from 1956.