Chris Dobney
Management of the Brunswick Picture House are not only fighting an attempt by Byron Shire Council staff to close down the venue but are now having trouble convincing people they are still operating.
Co-owner Brett Haylock said postings on social media had convinced people the venue had already closed, whereas in fact it was proceeding with its normal program.
‘At the moment, our current challenge is getting the message out to the community that, no, we didn’t close as a result of this expensive and unnecessary diversion from what we do best,’ he told Echonetdaily.
But Mr Haylock said negotiations with council had improved since staff first slapped an order to cease operations on the new business in early September.
The Picture House had until then been operating on the understanding that its early life as a cinema ensured its status as a place of entertainment.
But now Byron mayor Simon Richardson has taken a personal interest in the case, organising a meeting between council staff and Picture House management on Tuesday.
‘We had a really positive meeting with council yesterday, which was initiated by Simon Richardson. We’re very grateful for that and Simon has been great in driving it forwards,’ Mr Haylock said.
‘To ensure that the Picture House remains open, we have submitted a DA (development application) – a very simple DA – under protest, and our legal position remains that a DA is unnecessary as it has existing rights.
‘We’re very, very grateful that the overwhelming feedback as a result of this exercise was heard loud and clear by council and there seems to be an initiative to keep the Picture House open and we’re working through that at the moment.
Mr Haylock said it was now ‘a bit of a waiting game’ for the Picture House management and staff.
‘We just have to remain patient, he said, adding that council was seeking further legal advice ‘and I think it will be at least a month before we have any further clarity.’
He said that until then, ‘We continue to do what we do, our program still rolls out. We’ve got the same combination of film events and live shows, all delivered with our signature flair – and our message this week is that our kiosk also remains open and it’s business as usual down here on Fingal Street.’
‘This weekend we have Voodoo Revue on Friday night and the film Embrace on Saturday.
For more details, and to book, go to the Brunswick Picture House website.