By Chloe Jarrett & Marieke R Young
Greater Union cinema in Wollongong, once a hub for Hollywood blockbusters, independent films, and special events, now sits in silence, its three large screens dark, its seats empty, the floor no longer covered with spilled popcorn. For decades, the cinema played a vital cultural and social role in the Wollongong community, providing a space for families, teenagers, and friends to gather and share communal experiences. Beyond entertainment, it connected the city to the broader national and international cultural trends. Its closure marked the end of an era in Wollongong’s local cultural landscape and reflected the broader cultural and technological shifts, including the rise of streaming services and changing patterns of urban development.
Meanwhile, the Warrawong Gala continues to welcome moviegoers each evening. Despite its relatively small size, the theatre offers a striking contrast to Wollongong’s larger, now-closed cinema, highlighting the community’s resilience in maintaining local cultural venues. Its illuminated sign draws in residents, families, and film lovers, reflecting its role as a centre for community engagement.
The Gala’s ongoing presence shows that local theatres are still a uniting presence in towns, preserving a sense of collective identity in an age when movies are dominated by streaming services.
For 45 years, the Greater Union Cinema in Wollongong, which opened on 8 December 1976, served as a key central hub for the community. As part of the Greater Union cinema chain – now known as Event Cinemas (EVT) – the theatre had access to new film releases, coordinated marketing, and logistical support to keep operations running smoothly. This structure allowed the Wollongong cinema to showcase both popular releases and independent titles, offering a diverse program that appealed to a broad audience.
Figure 1.1
The 2020s COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of many local businesses, including cinemas, and disrupted film production and release schedules. With lockdown keeping audiences at home, streaming platforms surged in popularity, fundamentally changing how films were consumed. Subscription-based services were becoming the primary way for audiences to experience news releases, contributing to a 13-per-cent decline in cinema attendance across Australia since 2019. This decline was further compounded by the broader structural challenges, such as high operational costs, shifts in suburban retail patterns, and the growing dominance of digital entertainment, all of which made it increasingly difficult for traditional cinemas to remain sustainable.
1.1 Images of the different movies Greater Union Wollongong offered (Pictures taken by Orlando Chiodo, Adam McLean & Robert Peet (July 2024)
Figure 1.2
1.2 Graph of Decades Average Seats, Screens and Theatres in Australia (Feb 2026)
Amid Greater Union’s attempts to resume operations, severe storm damage in 2022 further impacted the building, leaving Wollongong residents pessimistic about its future, especially after the signage was removed in April 2023. Speculation was eventually put to rest in 2024, when the building was finally sold. The closure marked more than a loss of cinema; it represented the disappearance of a long-standing community meeting point where generations of residents gathered to share collective experiences, shaping Wollongong’s social and artistic landscape.
As the former Greater Union building sits vacant on Burelli Street, Wollongong residents now rely on local alternatives such as the Gala Cinema in Warrawong, which operates on a reduced weekly schedule rather than daily screenings. A small but charming aspect of cinema is the freedom to catch a movie whenever the mood strikes. Whether that’s after a long day at work, or sheltering from bad weather, or simply enjoying a relaxed outing with friends and family. The closure of Wollongong’s Greater Union has diminished that sense of spontaneity and convenience, leaving residents to travel to Warrawong’s Gala or Hoyts for their cinema experience.
Development plans for the old cineplex building at 37-39 Burelli Street remain in limbo, and according to MMJ Wollongong’s industrial director, Travis Machan, that’s partly due to the pressure of finding a business suited for such a prominent location.
“It’s a key CBD corner…repurposing that property would be quite difficult because of the specific design and nature of it,” he said.
A proposal lodged in April 2021 outlined plans for a multi-level hotel that would incorporate public art, but no redevelopment has progressed yet. The potential replacement of the cinema with a hotel reflects the broader shift in urban priorities, signaling a shift away from arts and entertainment venues and more towards a commercial development, prompting questions about the long-term availability of community spaces in the city’s centre.
Figure 1.3
1.3 ‘The Globe’: The Plans for the former David Jones site and City Diggers have been unveiled. Picture by ADM Architects & Jackson Teece
The old Greater Union stood out among Australian theatres for its unusually large interior and distinctive retro aesthetic. Although the cinema became rundown towards the end of its tenure, with reports of mould and worn seating, residents continue to feel nostalgic for its atmosphere and collective significance. Many have said that a renovated theatre could revitalise the local culture, by boosting attendance, supporting nearby businesses, and strengthening the community’s connection through shared experiences.
In an anonymous interview, a Gala employee noted the sentiment of, “if you don’t use it, you lose it,” continues to shape the cinema industry. Many audiences do not realise the merits of watching a movie on the big screen until the local theatres disappear. While streaming platforms make movie-watching easier, they cannot provide consumers the change in atmosphere and shared energy that a theatre experience can provide.
The decline of cinemas is not solely due to changing audience habits, but rather the evolving priorities within the film industry itself. As major Hollywood studios continue to merge, creative risks have become less common, resulting in fewer original productions and a narrower range of stories being shown in theatres. This shift has contributed to a decline in the box office performance, leaving audiences feeling less motivated to attend screenings for productions that lack innovation or creative depth.
Studios are also struggling to anticipate audience preferences, and reduced cinema attendance continues to pose challenges across the industry. Because streaming platforms allow viewers to stop watching at any time, at no expense, studios face less pressure to create compelling or original content. Together, these factors contribute to the ongoing decline of local cinemas and undermine the sense of community they once fostered.
Overall, the closure of the Greater Union marks a cultural loss, yet its absence has prompted audiences to reflect on the enduring importance of shared cinema experiences. The continued presence of the Gala shows that watching films still remains a meaningful form of community connection. As streaming continues to reshape viewing habits, these local theatres remind us that the true value of cinema lies not just in the films shown, but in the shared moments, connections, and memories created within their walls. The disappearance of venues like the Greater Union represents more than just a loss of entertainment, it diminishes the spaces where Wollongong residents have historically gathered, fostering social bonds and contributing to the city’s collective cultural identity.
Notes:
- Ehsman, J 2024, Vale Greater Union, Wollongong cinema officially sold after 47 years, Illawarra Mercury, 15 July, viewed 26 October 2025, <https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/8694065/greater-union-wollongong-closure-marks-end-of-an-era/#slide=6>.
- Screen Australia 2024, Cinema Industry Trends Screens and Theatres, Motion Picture Distributors Association Australia, viewed 23 October 2025, <https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/fact-finders/cinema/industry-trends/screens-and-theatres>.
- Pearce, C 2023, The Globe to transform old DJs, Diggers site in Wollongong CBD, Illawarra Mercury, viewed 20 October 2025, <https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/8366418/first-look-plans-unveiled-for-trio-of-towers-to-replace-djs-site/>.