Dargaville cinema approved | Northland News | Local News in Northland

Dargaville is to have its own cinema by the end of the year.

Support for the project increased when the Kaipara District Council last week agreed in principle to underwrite a loan for $220,000 to enable the planned auditorium to be be constructed.

A further cash injection of $30,000 from the ASB Trust has been secured and a similar amount has been raised locally through donations and movie showings at the Kumara Box - a facility owned by a local kumara grower.

The 62-seat cinema will be built in the former library located within the former Municipal Chambers and War Memorial Hall complex.

A further coup was achieved just before Christmas when both the New Zealand and Australian Returned Services organisations and the Government agreed for the cinema to be named the Anzac.

"The name cannot normally be used in a commercial enterprise and gaining consent is an honour and a reflection of support for the cinema here and the hard work of those involved," said Dargaville Community Cinema Charitable Trust's chairman Grame Ramsey.

"We owe Northern Wairoa Memorial RSA a huge vote of thanks. They got the support of the New Zealand RSA and Australian Returned Service League and then the Minister of Arts Heritage and Culture."

The name now only requires formal signing off by New Zealand's Governor-General.

"The support from council is very good news and a big step closer to having a cinema in Dargaville this year," he said.

While councillors agreed with the worthiness of the project, two voiced some concerns over the business plan predictions and discussed capping project expenditure. It was agreed the underwriting was subject to the council's approval of finalised architectural plans and costings.

Acting on the encouragement of Councillor Brian McEwing the council also agreed to promote the funding of the project through the 2011 Annual Plan process where subject to community approval, the loan could be repaid by council sources such as the Reserve Contributions Fund.