The City of Gosnells is now reevaluating its consent for a proposed drive-in cinema at Harmony Fields in Maddington, following significant community backlash.
A motion proposed by Councillor Glenn Dewhurst was narrowly passed, 5 to 4, requesting the CEO prepare a report for Council on the implications of withdrawing the City’s consent to the development application.
The motion also asks the Mayor and CEO to meet with relevant State Government Ministers to discuss the potential for the drive-in cinema to be developed elsewhere in the City.
The proposal, developed by Rowe Group and Ace Cinemas, includes plans for 800 parking bays, four screens, and a mini golf course in Maddington, with operations running daily from sunset until 1 am, offering two screenings each night with sound delivered through car radios.
Last week’s council meeting drew a packed audience, with over 50 community members present to show their support for those voicing concerns about proposed the project.
Speaking in support of Councillor Dewhurst’s motion, Darren Kelly, a local resident of Maddington near Harmony Fields, expressed concerns about the environmental impact, disruptions, and potential safety issues the development could raise, particularly regarding alcohol use.
“The removal of public open spaces impacts many of the residents around the area because it’s being used daily for exercise, dog walking, relaxation and supporting their mental health and well-being,” Mr Kelly said.
“In the proposal, alcohol and liquor licensing are not mentioned at all. As the proposal states, there’s going to be 12 employees on-site at any given time. Most are going to be teenagers. It seems unlikely that BYO access and consumption of alcohol will be effectively controlled.”
“There’ll be no economic advantage for Maddington in the proposal, no social advantage for Maddington in this proposal, and there is no way that this will line up with the beautification of Maddington.”
Local mum Katie Cullen from Maddington also urged the City to withdraw support for the proposed drive-in cinema at Harmony Fields, stating that the open space is the community’s “backyard” and “shared refuge,” particularly as properties across Perth get smaller.
“The last thing I want for my children is more screens, more cars and more concrete. Any development should complement the existing space and promote an active, healthy lifestyle, a liveable, harmonious community,” Ms Cullen said.
“The open spaces we protect today are a promise to our future generations and that they will have room to breathe, a place to connect and to thrive.”
While Mayor Terresa Lynes confirmed she has been in contact with the Deputy Premier of WA to discuss alternative sites if a suitable solution for Harmony Fields isn’t reached, and she is aware of all the concerns, especially regarding the Black Cockatoos, she did not support Councillor Glenn Dewhurst’s motion, stating the established process should run its course.
“We do have a planning process, and that’s in place for a reason, and this motion disrupts that process and could undermine confidence in our system,” Mayor Lynes said.
“As the CEO said, this doesn’t stop the course or the process, we will still continue with the development application and we will still continue with seeking your feedback on what that is.”
Speaking with The Examiner newspapers, Mayor Lynes confirmed one of the alternative sites that was considered and still hopes it could be a viable option.
“Ace Cinemas originally hoped to develop a site near Tom Bateman Wetlands in Thornlie, which is currently used as a laydown area for the Thornlie Cockburn line rail works,” she said.
“The State Government did not support this option and intends to rehabilitate the land when the rail works are complete. I still believe this site has some potential.”
As the ‘Your Say’ feedback for the planning application through the City of Gosnells closed on November 19, planning officers at the City will now prepare a report that analyses the comments made by the community.
The report will take into account a range of other factors before presenting a responsible authority report to the Metro Outer Development Assessment Panel (MODAP).
City of Gosnells’ CEO Ian Cowie clarified that even if MODAP approves the drive-in development, the City of Gosnells will still have a say if the project goes ahead, as the Council ultimately controls the lease for the land.
“As the land owner, we indicated a consent for the application to come forward to be considered,” Mr Cowie said.
“It will be the council’s responsibility (if the development is approved by MODAP) to tell me whether they want to give a lease or not.”
Regardless of the drive-in application outcome, the City recently secured $168,500 through a Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) funding grant for the ‘Habitat at Harmony Fields project.
If the cinema is approved, the planting will occur outside of the cinema area. However, if the cinema is not approved, the planting will still take place both inside and outside of the proposed development area.
