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You may be aware that the Regent Theatre DA scheduled to be considered by the Land and Environment Court later this year has again been amended.
Revive the Regent Theatre Mudgee Inc. strongly opposes the latest proposal.
The Developer's DA and plan claims: "Existing Theatre to be Retained and Upgraded".
We feel it is important to clarify, this is not so:
The stage will be demolished, along with associated facilities such as the fly tower.
The majestic Proscenium Arch will be altered.
The "new stage" will only be half the size, much lower and is described as a "mobile thrust stage" comprising 15 modules, which will be stored in a small shed in the car park.
There will be a solid wall constructed immediately behind the curtain so there can be no sets, scenery etc. Performers' access to the new "stage" is unclear.
Sight lines from the dress circle will be impeded with the lower, smaller stage positioned further forward than the current stage.
The raked floor will be replaced with a level floor.
Toilets will be built in the auditorium.
The ornate timber entry screen will be moved forward into the auditorium.
The potential seating will be halved.
There are other proposed changes which will result in much of the original fabric and form of the Theatre being negatively affected. The end result of all these changes being that the current Theatre, capable of staging all manner of performance types, will no longer exist...to be replaced by a hotel/function/dining room.
As a consequence the Regent Theatre's heritage significance will be severely eroded.
Other negatives of the DA include:
The demolition of the house at 33 Short Street, to be replaced by a two floor, rising to three floor hotel. (Note that there will be a fourth floor immediately behind the Theatre on the Theatre site). This is contrary to the residential zoning and does not satisfy the requirements of cl. 5.3 of the LEP relating to flexible zone boundaries.
The proposed hotel exceeds the height restrictions of the Development Control Plan (DCP).
The proposed hotel, being a large modern bland block-like construction will negatively impact on the Heritage Conservation Area of which the Regent, 33 Short Street, other neighbouring properties, the two churches and Lawson Park are part.
The proposed hotel will negatively impact on the residential amenity of residential properties in Short Street.
The increase in traffic congestion in Short Street resultant from vehicles accessing the hotel and function room will impact on the amenity of residential properties and the park and public swimming pool.
The Regent Theatre is subject to an Interim Heritage Order until 28/2/2020.
Revive the Regent Theatre Mudgee Inc. is asking you to oppose this DA, which effectively destroys the heritage significance and potential theatrical functionality of this wonderful and historic Theatre.
The Office of Environment and Heritage states:
"the heritage significance of an item includes all the values that make it special to past, present and future generations".
The full plans can be viewed via the News section on the Revive the Regent website, or by accessing Mid-Western Regional Council's website.
We have attached a template letter below with some of our noted reasons for objecting, which you are welcome to amend for your own use.
Your submissions should be marked DA 0081/2018 Submission and emailed to:
council@midwestern.nsw.gov.au
Please send your objection to the General Manager Brad Cam by 30th August 2019.