Dendy Cinemas expansion to worsen parking
- Author:
- Staff Writer
- Posted:
- Thursday, 2 September 2010
Infuriated Newtown locals have lashed out at a proposed expansion of the Dendy Cinemas claiming it will increase congestion and worsen parking.
Marrickville council is yet to approve the application to add six new cinemas to the complex located at 251-263 King Street, Newtown. While the renovations will see the cinemas almost double in capacity from 528 to 998 seats it does not include any provisions to provide additional parking for patrons.
The proposed development has enraged residents.
“King Street from early morning is already a traffic nightmare,” said Newtown local Ben Wenke.
Council documents reveal almost half of Dendy patrons arrive by car on a Saturday evening and estimate there will be an increase of 46 vehicle trips just between 6and 7 pm.
Dendy National Operations Manager, Nick Hayes believes the expansion is an investment into the community and parking will not be an issue.
“[Dendy] is one of the few sites that provide parking,” he said.
However, the cinemas currently provide only 20 car spaces for patrons, and the proposal has no plans to provide additional parking due to the constraints of the site. Council documents estimate the expansion will result in an increase of 278 patrons attending a film between the Saturday peak hours of 6 and 8 pm.
Developers believe if parking is not readily available it will encourage car-pooling, despite curb side and laneway parking being limited and largely time restricted.
“All the laneways off King Street are either timed, or for residents. The majority of residents don’t have garages – on street parking is their only form of parking,” said Newtown resident Verity Coltman.
Locals are not only concerned about congestion and parking, but what the expansion will mean for the local community.
“The reason I love the Dendy is because it’s a small community place,” said Newtown resident Claire Brill.
“It is a shame because [the plans] represent the pressure that local businesses are under. I mean, the fact they have to compromise their identity in order to survive,” said local Mark Farthing.
However, Mr Hayes believes the extension “will mean that we are able to show more movies and a broader range of films”.
Marrickville Councillor, Sam Iskandar believes the expansion will be beneficial for the community if the plans fulfil all the requirements.
“We will support any good business in the area,” he said.
However, not all councillors agree, with Newtown’s self-proclaimed Major tweeting, “not convinced about the Dendy extension” last week.
Under the plan, the ground level music store will be converted into a ticket office and candy bar, and the height of the building itself will increase to accommodate the new cinemas.
Detailed plans are available to view on the Marrickville Council website and comments by the public are welcome.
By Sophie Cousins
The King Street entrance to the Dendy Cinemas in Newtown
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September 3rd, 2010 @ 9:57 pm
We’ll all be rooned said Hanrahan…. It is absurd that some residents in Newtown think that opposing the Dendy cinema by saying it should create more car parking to Newtown is good for Newtown
The Dendy Cinema is most certainly not the cause of congestion on King St. King st is a main traffic thoroughfare under RTA for through traffic and as we all know where the RTA controls, traffic rules – and the more the better!
Once upon a time when councils/society thought that cars were the only way to travel we set up controls to encourage cars. Ironically we now find even Greens Councillors using these pro car controls to stop the Dendy which is located in a wonderfully eclectic, dynamic commercial strip.
Essentailly the position says that more people might come to king St. in more cars and that the Dendy should provide car parks -imagine – more car parks! Why for goodness sake – King St has a train station, numerous buses and easy access by taxi.
To be really sustainable any new activities/business in Newtown should have no parking spaces attached. Residents should support this approach if what they oppose is more traffic. The more car parks you build the more cars you invite. Remember the real cause of traffic is the lack of proper public transport and the dominance of tyhe car/RTA. Don’t blame the Dendy. Get onto the state government and the RTA!