Mr Hartsuyker met with Kempsey mayor Liz Campbell and council general manager David Rawlings to discuss council’s proposal for a four-screen cinema in Kempsey, and council’s application for funding under the Australian government’s National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF).

“Kempsey absolutely needs a cinema complex, not only for the economic growth benefits it could bring to the town, but also for the social and cultural benefits it could provide,” Mr Hartsuyker said.

“Kempsey Shire Council has a plan which is commercially viable and has the potential to create additional local employment, value-adding to the town as a whole by providing an avenue for entertainment that is not available now.”

Council has estimated the total cinema project will cost in the vicinity of $5,000,000 for a commercially viable four-screen cinema, and has applied for $2 million through the NSRF.  

The NSRF is a federal government initiative to boost social and economic development, and successful applicants need to match funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

Mr Hartsuyker said the council was prepared to commit $2 million toward funding the cinema project, so a successful application for funding of an additional $2 million from the Australian government would mean the project would be feasible

“I believe council’s plan will bring significant social and economic opportunities to the town and I fully support their application for funding under the National Stronger Regions program,” Mr Hartsuyker said.

Kempsey mayor Liz Campbell told The Macleay Argus support from the federal MP was welcome.

“It was really a positive response from our local Member for our application to have a cinema here in Kempsey,” Cr Campbell said.

“Our research shows over 80 per cent of the local community believe it is important for Kempsey to have a commercially operated cinema and council believes a cinema would also deliver social and economic benefits to Kempsey as well as some great entertainment for the community.” 

The council will find out in May if its application has been successful.