NATIONAL TRUST SEEKS SOLUTION TO RETAIN WOLLONGONG'S HISTORIC REGENT THEATRE

6 May 2002

Representatives from the National Trust and Lend Lease met today regarding the future of the Regent Theatre in Wollongong.

National Trust Executive Director, Elsa Atkin said that, while the Trust supported the proposed revitalisation of Wollongong's City Centre, the main auditorium of the historic 1950s Regent Theatre should be retained as an important, and viable part of the city's heritage.

"While there is a strong argument for an enhanced entertainment complex in the city centre, it is vital that we recognise the value of theatres such as the Regent, and their significance as well-loved community icons", Ms Atkin said.

"The Regent was first nominated by the Trust in 1995 as one of eleven surviving intact historic cinemas in NSW it has social, architectural and technological attributes of State significance. In terms of its viability, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has accepted a National Trust pilot proposal for heritage cinemas which, if adopted in the Voluntary Code of Conduct between Film Distributors and Exhibitors could result in the renewed viability of large, single screen cinemas such as the Regent.

"In today's discussion the Trust highlighted this significance and the potential at this early stage in the proposal, and suggested alternatives which would allow the auditorium to be retained. This has already been achieved successfully with other historic theatres, such as the Albury Regent, Cremorne Orpheum and Randwick Ritz, where redevelopment has been sensitive to the character and integrity of the buildings.

"The National Trust's input was welcomed by Lend Lease. Lend Lease will review the Voluntary Code of Conduct to assess the commercial viability of a large single screen theatre in Wollongong.

"The National Trust will continue to work with Lend Lease in addressing the future of the Regent Theatre to provide the best possible outcome for the Wollongong community," said Ms Atkin.