Regent Theatre, Wollongong

Media Reports

Stories, Press Releases, Letters to the Editor etc.

30 April - Illawarra Mercury article on proposed development of the Wollongong CBD by Lend Lease, and the possibility of demolition of the Regent.

30 May - WIN4 news story on the Regent. The following is a transcript:

Lend Lease has raised community concern over threats to demolish Wollongong’s Regent Theatre as part of a proposed multimillion dollar revamp of Wollongong Central.

It said plans are in the early stages and no decision has been made on the landmark building.

Councillor Anne Wood has been privy to a number of meetings between Lend Lease and the owners of several CBD buildings it has in its sights.

Anne Wood: “Lend Lease have very advanced plans for revitalising the CBD, and of course the Regent stands in a very sensitive position.”

The Regent cinema is listed as having heritage significance on Wollongong Council’s Local Environment Plan.

Built in 1957, its style of architecture dates back a further twenty years.

Andrew Conacher: “The building was designed by AJ McGoffin who also designed the old Wollongong Council Chambers which is now the largest regional gallery in Australia. The building was designed in 1936 and so it is what we call Interwar Modern or Ocean Liner style.”

Apart from the cinema’s facade and foyer, the theatre’s ceiling is also of heritage value - that, the focus of current talks.

Anne Wood: “The last meeting I attended would have been a week or so ago, and nothing final was said to us.”

That confirmed in a press statement, released by Lend Lease today.

“We acknowledge and respect the cinema has heritage significance and are currently working with local stakeholders to arrive at the most appropriate resolution for the current owner, the Illawarra community, CBD business and local authorities.” (Robert Lewis, Development Manager, Wollongong Central).

Development Manager Robert Lewis recognises the cinema’s heritage significance and says he is working with local stakeholders for the most appropriate resolution.

Yet, fears for the building’s future persist.

Alex Darling: “It seems to me at this stage the 1500 seat theatre will go, and that’s where the problem appears to be with the heritage people, because it is one of a few, and I believe 2 or 3 in New South Wales, that can actually seat 1500 people.

Lend Lease will not release details of the scheme until sanctioned by Wollongong Central’s owners, General Property Trust.

Katherine Lord, WIN News.

1 May - Illawarra Mercury.

6 May - National Trust Press Release - National Trust Seeks Solution to Retain Wollongong's Historic Regent Theatre (pdf copy)

6 May - press release by the National Trust.

7 May - Illawarra Mercury Forum article on the Regent by Michael Organ. Go here for an unedited version of this piece.

8 May - Wollongong Advertiser article on Lend Lease plans for the CBD, with reference to the Regent.

8 May - Illawarra Mercury - letter to the editor by Colleen Burling, Primbee.