260 people were present with only a handful showing support for the controversial project.

Guest speakers Paul Hayller, June Mainey, Diane Whitefore, Andrew Mercado and Renae Rootes voiced the concerns of those against.

Organiser Mrs Rootes said calling the night a success wouldn’t do it justice.

The main gripe of protestors seems to be with the fact that should the project go ahead, $2 million of ratepayers money would be given to a private entity.

“Other businesses in town haven’t had the same opportunity,” Mrs Rootes said.

Another complaint related to the community notice board, which they say is a “sneaky way” for council to ensure an enduring benefit from the project – one of the requirements of the funding application.

The anti-cinema campaigners said the 10 free “visits” to the cinemas, which Gowings and Majestic are offering to council as a deal sweetener, are pointless as council already has invested in the Melville High School Hall and the Slim Dusty Centre. Both of which are perfect venues for community meetings and events.

“They’ve already got a place to hold meetings, they don’t need another one,” Mrs Rootes said.

Other objections related to the location of the proposed cinema.

Both in terms of accessibility to the “congested” part of town, and also the fact that Target will be forced to close during construction which is expected to take 14 months, resulting in the loss of 11 jobs, with only eight to be created by the cinema.

“Council just don’t want to listen,” Mrs Rootes said.

“Their role is to look after existing infrastructure, our roads and other facilities. It’s unanimous the community doesn’t support this venture.

“It’s not the right project for this town.

“With technology these days, people just download movies.”

See Tuesday’s Argus for the other side of the debate from Cr Mark Baxter.