Whilst investment in Port Macquarie is crucial as it grows, does this new development simply replicate a number of existing businesses and facilities?

The Development Application has been submitted by United Cinemas, a Sydney-based cinema chain who currently operate cinemas exclusively in capital cities and their surrounding areas.

The proposed development includes a 9 screen 1400 seat cinema, bowling alley, gym, indoor sports centre, car wash, fast food and restaurants.

Majestic Cinemas CEO and local resident, Kieren Dell, noted the long running Ritz Centre cinema, situated on the corner of Horton and Clarence streets, has been in operation since 1937. The owners of the building, the Hatsatouris family, have owned the Ritz Centre building since inception. It was built by their father as one of the largest cinemas outside a metropolitan area at the time, and it has been updated multiple times over its 85 year existence to keep pace with changes in the industry.

Majestic Cinemas, the operators of the Ritz cinema complex in Port Macquarie since 2006, along with the buildings owners, completed the latest $6m update to the complex in 2013.

“For a population of approximately 78,000 people in the Greater Port Macquarie region, the current spread of cinema screens means we now have one cinema screen for every 11,000 people, which is in line with comparable regional areas.” Mr Dell said. “Our concern is that an additional 9 cinemas screens, as proposed by the DA submission, would bring this ratio down to less than 5000 people per screen, less than half to two-thirds of any comparable regional area, potentially making both cinema complexes unsustainable.”

Mr Dell added that “There are several examples of new cinemas being built in regional areas where both the new and the existing businesses struggle to stay alive."

“Operating a cinema in a regional area is very different to operating in a metropolitan location. Majestic have a long history on the Mid North Coast, having been founded in Nambucca Heads in 2002. We provide a valuable cultural service to the local community by regularly screening a wide variety of fringe cultural events such as Opera, Ballet, National Theatre live, art exhibitions and concerts events." said Mr Dell.

Would or could an outsider be as committed to our community?

“We live and work in this community, and constantly respond to community feedback. It is important to Majestic that we are not just an entertainment facility, but a major part of the greater Port Macquarie community.”

Go to the Majestic Cinemas website at majesticcinemas.com.au and click on the "No Megaplex Development" link to see more facts.