Maitland councillors voted unanimously in favour of the development at a meeting this week, describing it as a positive economic step for one of the fastest growing cities in NSW.

Cr Philip Penfold moved the officers recommendation to approve the development and said this would be another great addition to the work already underway on the Stockland shopping centre at Green Hills.

Cr Penfold said when Maitland’s existing cinema complex opened in the 1990s the city had a population of around 40,000.

“By the time this complex is finished Maitland’s population will start with an “8” and will be able to sustain two cinemas,” Cr Penfold said.

Cr Ben Whiting said the new development will stop many Maitland residents driving to Newcastle to take advantage of the shopping/cinema combination.

Mayor Peter Blackmore said he had spoken to the management of Reading Cinema in Maitland who had expressed concern but now see the development as a positive for the city.

“I believe Reading may show an interest in operating one or two of the cinemas in the new complex which means they are looking at it positively,” he said.

He expects the Green Hills complex would not only draw people from the immediate Maitland area but from other parts of the wider Hunter Valley.

Find out more about the redevelopment of the shopping complex here.