It's lights, camera and action for Gungahlin with a $50 million plus development set to provide a seven-screen cinema for the north Canberra town centre.
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Work will start mid 2014 on two 500-seat movie theatres and five 200-seat theatres boasting an overall capacity for more than 2000 patrons.
Long-established Canberra company the Krnc Group, better known for its burgeoning IGA supermarket empire, successfully tendered for the project.
Director John Krnc said it was the first time the family company had been involved with a cinema development.
He said they were in talks with Greater Union to operate the new cinema.
“Within the next three months discussions with Greater Union should be finalised," Mr Krnc said.
In addition to the cinema complex, the development would also include 4300 square metres for a major retailer, 1450 square metres for other retail businesses, and 1500 square metres of commercial space.
It will be located in the eastern section of the town centre on a block bounded by Hibberson, Hinder, Efkarpidis and Kate Crace Streets.
Deputy Chief Minister Andrew Barr said a cinema for Gungahlin was the subject of considerable interest in the lead up to the last election.
“It's fair to say the cinema has been highly anticipated," he said.
“The important design elements are there in terms of the active street frontage, a residential component as well as the cinema complex."
The residential component will consist of three residential floors of between 80 and 90 one and two-bedroom apartments with the development providing more than 900 car spaces – 600 of these will be underground.
Meanwhile Mr Barr said having Greater Union as an operator would mean diversity and competition continued in the Canberra cinema market.
“Greater Union have got Manuka but they used to have Civic as well so now you've got Hoyts, you've got Dendy, you've got Palace, you've got Greater Union and you've got Limelight in Tuggeranong; that's a good level of competition to give you different film types," he said.
“Gungahlin's population is ticking over 50,000, and they are heading towards 70,000 to 75,000 with more suburbs to come, so it is timely for this sort of infrastructure to be delivered.
“I expect the community will be very pleased and will want it built as soon as possible.'
