Plans unveiled for former Events Cinema prime site in the Cairns CBD

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A planning application has been submitted to Cairns Regional Council for a place of worship in a central city location once home to a cinema complex.

Calvary Temple Assembly of God Townsville has applied for a Material Change of Use at 108-114 Grafton Street, to operate a place of worship, theatre, function facility and indoor sport and recreation.

The premises has been empty since it was vacated by Event Cinemas in 2018.

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Calvary Temple Assembly of God, a Pentecostal church and registered charitable organisation, already has a presence in Cairns and is currently operating from Edge Hill State School.

“The proposed development provides a beneficial reuse of a key vacant site in the Cairns CBD,” the application reads.

“The reuse of the site will contribute to the vibrancy of the CBD and increase visitation to the city centre.”

The application says a food and drink outlet that was formerly occupied by 300 Degrees as well as La Porchetta is excluded from the application – however Tropic Now understands it is part of the lot.

According to the document, it will continue to operate as a food and drink outlet but is not currently leased.

Included in the summary of key issues is a lack of onsite parking, with a traffic impact study estimating about 150 vehicles would require a space for Sunday morning services.

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“Over time, Council has permitted the subdivision of the lot and approved new uses on the Lake Street frontage.

“The Parking and Access Development Code allows for the use of on-street parking in lieu of on-site parking for reuse of an existing building.

“There are ample on-street and off-street car parks available during the peak usage times to cater for the proposed use.”

Regular patron numbers are anticipated to be up to 450, predominantly families.