Led by Cascades Theatre owner Bev Mansfield, with the support of Moree Chamber of Commerce, the petition to redevelop the old cinema and theatre complex into an entertainment venue for Moree began two weeks ago following talks of the redevelopment of Moree Memorial Hall at a Moree Plains Shire Council strategic planning meeting.

Following the meeting, Ms Mansfield said a number of people questioned why the Cascades theatre, which closed down in 2008 and has since been damaged by two separate fires, couldn’t be redeveloped.

While the restaurant and foyer of the building were destroyed by the fires, the structure of the theatre itself remains sound.

Ms Mansfield believes the building could be redeveloped into an entertainment venue which would incorporate two cinemas and could be used for live entertainment including theatre productions, music and dance concerts and more, as well as a space for large conferences.

She estimates that it would cost approximately $2 million to redevelop the building which would include adding a second theatre, purchasing digital screening equipment, foyer upgrades and the cost of aesthetic upgades in the existing theatre such as new paint, curtains, etc.

Ms Mansfield is currently putting together a detailed submission which she will present to council to consider funding the redevelopment with the idea that once the building is redeveloped, all cultural, arts and entertainment groups in Moree will form a committee to run the venue as a community, not-for-profit venture, with no ongoing costs for council.

Council currently has $2 million set aside in next year’s budget for the redevelopment of Moree Memorial Hall, however that funding is contingent on successfully gaining a $2 million funding contribution from the government, and even then that money is likely to only cover basic upgrades such as the installation of airconditioning, disabled access, new toilets and upgrades to the acoustics of the building.

Ms Mansfield and the Moree Chamber of Commerce are hopeful that some of the money set aside for the Moree Civic Precinct Redevelopment might instead be put towards the redevelopment of Cascades so that both buildings could work together under one “umbrella” to attract people to Moree as venues for live entertainment and conferences.

As part of the submission, Ms Mansfield has put together estimated development and running costs and believes a cinema alone would be viable.

“Cascades Theatre never lost money, it always broke even,” she said.

“If it’s run properly there’s no reason it can’t be the same this time.”

Moree Chamber of Commerce is backing the proposal and president Murray Hartin said it’s something the community needs to attract more people to town.

“It’s not about profit, it’s about providing a service to the community,” he said.

“From a Chamber point of view, when people are looking to come to town for jobs, they ask ‘what does Moree have to offer?’ I love this place but the biggest problem is getting people here.

“We just need stuff for the town, it’s something that you can’t look at as profit and loss, you’ve got to look at it as a community venture and if we can get this, we might get something else too.

“We’ve got to start the ball rolling somewhere. This is a step and it’s certainly a step in the right direction.”

The Cascades building has been up for sale for the past 10 years and Ms Mansfield is worried that if a developer buys it and turns it into a motel that the theatre will be lost forever.

“If it’s not done this way, it may be the last chance we get to make use of the theatre,” she said.

Turning it into a private enterprise also isn’t a viable option according to Ms Mansfield.

“There’s approximately only 32 privately-owned cinemas left in Australia,” she said.

“The rest are owned by the distribution companies who have big multiplexes, or by local councils.”

Moree mayor Katrina Humphries supports the redevelopment of Cascades, however said council doesn’t need to run a cinema.

“I would love to see something positive and wonderful happen with Cascades and I hope the community get behind it,” she said.

“I really hope a private company comes on board and takes over what would be a wonderful opportunity for the Moree community.”

The petition to council to redevelop the Cascades Theatre is currently running until June 15.

If you would like to sign it, you can access it various businesses in town including Sylvia’s Fabrics, Shie Elegance, Stagg and Co, Greenbah Store and Moree Frame and Art, or online at www.change.org/p/moree-plains-shire-council-m-p-s-council-to-consider-the-redevelopment-of-the-existing-cinema-in-gosport-street-moree. Otherwise email Bev Mansfield on mansfield05@bigpond.com.