A development application for a Gungahlin cinema complex has been lodged after a long-running saga that has seen a series of setbacks.
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The application for a two-storey mixed-use commercial building, which proposed a 3568-square-metre cinema, has been lodged with the ACT government's planning directorate.
There would be eight cinema screens all on the top floor and a cinema foyer along with three commercial or retail spaces on the ground floor, according to application papers lodged with the directorate.
It is the first stage of a three-stage development for the Gungahlin site.
The cinema is proposed to have 1662 seats and 117 car spaces, four of which would be accessible. The traffic report showed the number of car spaces required should be 408 but it calculated there will be a 25 per cent reduction in private vehicle use to the Gungahlin Town Centre. It is also calculated 20 per cent of patrons to the theatre will be "dual facilities" users from the greater Gungahlin area.
The second stage of the development, which is included as part of the traffic report, will add 75 basement car parks as well as 15 ground floor parking spaces.
The traffic report stated the development will increase the overall traffic load on the surrounding road network, but the traffic generation expected to result from the development is "consistent with the continuing development and population growth of Gungahlin".
The cost of the development is estimated to be almost $15 million. It has been previously reported that from approval, construction of the complex will take about 18 months.
It has been almost seven years since the ACT government first called for expressions of interest for the site.
In 2013, Canberra-developer Krnc Group were announced as the successful tenderer.
A development application for the site was lodged in 2016, and the cinema was given the green light to proceed. It was to be operated by Hoyts Australia.
But construction commencement was prevented by a legal challenge from United Cinemas. The operator claimed it had a lease agreement which allowed it to operate the complex.
United Cinemas had previously lodged a caveat on the land of the proposed development in 2016. The matter has been resolved and United Cinemas will operate the theatre.
The previous development application proposed a three-storey building with basement parking with 307 car spaces.
Gungahlin Community Council president Peter Elford described the application as an "important milestone".
"It is by far the most questioned, most requested facility in Gungahlin," he said
"Everybody is really excited."
The council is currently running an online community survey, and Mr Elford said from the first 600 people surveyed, close to 60 per cent of respondents called for more entertainment services in Gungahlin.
Mr Elford said when it was announced at August's Gungahlin Community Council meeting that United Cinemas would proceed with the development that it was the highest attended meeting in the council's history.
"[We're] very happy with what they proposed and that they are moving forward," he said.
"Progress has been frustrating.
"To be honest, anything that looks visually good and is going to get the project ahead is going to get the support of the council."