Victoria Theatre consultation closed - submissions tally 5000 + December 12, 2005

North Shore City Council has received more than 5000 submissions about Victoria Theatre since consultation began more than a month ago.

The council is considering whether to buy the privately-owned Devonport theatre because of its heritage value. This is not provided for in the current City Plan and consultation was required before any decision to amend it.

North Shore City community liaison manager, Lisa Tocker, says the number of submissions reflects a high level of awareness across the city about the Victoria Theatre consultation.

"We sent more than 84,500 consultation brochures out to every household and business - including retirement villages - in the city, and also made them available at area offices and libraries, and on our website," she says.

"We also placed advertisements about the consultation, and there's been plenty of media coverage from local papers, radio and television."

Other consultation, such as on the 2004 - 2014 City Plan, which sets out the future direction and costs of running the city, drew almost 3000 submissions. More than 10,000 submissions were received on Proposed Variation 66 and Plan Change 6 about the future of Long Bay.

"The Victoria Theatre consultation brochure outlined three options including purchasing and leasing, not purchasing, or purchasing and placing a heritage covenant on, then selling Victoria Theatre," says Lisa Tocker.

"We'll let people know more about what the submissions said early next year. Hearings will be held in February, and councillors will make a decision on which option to pursue in March."

People who want to be heard in support of their submission will be sent a letter by mid-January giving them a date and time.

Victoria Theatre was built in 1912, but it was a major alteration in 1929 that gave the building its current distinctive appearance. In the North Shore City District Plan, the theatre is classified as a Category A building.

ENDS

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