Wollongong CBD revival plans to ditch sought after cinema

Furious movie buffs are pegging their popcorn buckets at developers who have closed the curtain on plans for a long-awaited cinema in favour of a high-rise hotel.

Artist impression of the $300m proposal. Picture: Level 33

Furious movie buffs are pegging their popcorn buckets at developers who have closed the curtain on plans for a long-awaited Wollongong CBD cinema in favour of a high-rise hotel.

And the move has left cinephiles feeling icier than Jack and Rose on the floating door in Titanic.

The city of 216,000 has been without a major cineplex since Greater Union on Burelli St shut its doors in 2021, forcing residents to trek 30 minutes south to Shellharbour or Warrawong for a night at the movies.

This was set to change with the $300m Win Grand development, a major overhaul for Crown, Keira, Burelli and Atchison streets, which originally included a 10-screen, multi-level cinema.

Previously approved plans also included a 39-storey tower, exhibition space, music venue and retail spaces.

But, in a last minute director’s cut, developers Level 33 – who purchased the 1.3 hectare site from WIN TV boss Bruce Gordon in March, 2024 for $70m – scrapped the cinema in favour of a 204-room hotel.

Wollongong has been without a major cinema since 2021. Picture: Generic, file

The decision, which is subject to Southern Region Planning Panel approval, has sparked outrage among locals, who say the city has been crying out for a new CBD cinema for years.

“This is a huge blow,” Wollongong movie buff and university student Matty Gunn said.

The $300m WIN Grand development includes a 39-storey building. Picture: Level 33

“If we want to see a big release, we have to travel pretty far, which is fine if you have a car, but if you rely on an Uber, it’s a massive cost on top of movie tickets.”

Mr Gunn said he and his friends were looking forward to having a cinema in the CBD again.

“We could’ve walked there, grabbed food beforehand, made a night of it,” he said.

“It’s ridiculous that a city this size doesn’t have a cinema and no one seems to care.”

The Wollongong CBD will change drastically with the $300m development. Picture: File

Other residents took to social media, slamming the move as “a joke” and warning it would push younger residents out of the city.

“This is a uni town,” one posted.

“Students want a local cinema for blockbusters and dates.”

Despite the backlash, Level 33 insisted the change would benefit the community.

“The cinema is being replaced by a high quality hotel and an enhanced retail and hospitality offer coupled with affordable housing,” a spokesman said.

The 15-storey hotel is designed to address Wollongong’s longstanding accommodation shortage, with the city council identifying it as a key issue.

“Wollongong is a growing tourism destination, but has long been restricted by a lack of hotel and accommodation options,” the Level 33 spokesman said.

“By incorporating a premium hotel, we aim to stimulate the local economy further.”

Several high-profile Hollywood directors, including Martin Scorsese and Christopher Nolan, have been vocal about cinemas shutting down and have aired concerns about theatres becoming obsolete worldwide. They say most directors make movies that are intended for the big screen.

Detailed modified plans of the major CBD revamp will be released at a later date.

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Originally published as Wollongong CBD revival plans to ditch sought after cinema