Lyric still in limbo today
On this day sixteen years ago...
“Council objects to Lyric Theatre heritage listing”
• The Lyric Theatre in 2004.
• The Lyric Theatre in 2020.
By Taylor Clyne
February 19, 202
In February 2004 the Dorset Council opposed a decision by the Tasmanian Heritage Council to provisionally place the Lyric Theatre in Scottsdale on the Heritage Register.
The intention to list the building, which was constructed in 1924, was to preserve the significant social and recreational meaning the theatre had to the community.
At the time local developer Kelly Gerke had plans approved to house three shops inside the building.
Whilst work had not yet commenced, expressions of interests from builders had been sought.
At a Council meeting in 2004, then Deputy Mayor Tania Rattray-Wagner said, "If we support the listing, nothing will ever happen."
A statement that still rings true 16 years later, where a once iconic theatre that drew more than 600 people to its opening in 1924 and was claimed at the time that there was no better theatre in any country town in Australia, still sits deserted on Scottsdale’s main street today.
The land on which the Lyric sits was originally owned by James Boag, the man behind the famous brewery.
Since 2004 the building has had a number of owners.
The identity of the current owner is unknown to the paper, it’s believed the landholder resides on the North-West Coast and pay just enough rates so as it cannot be seized.
Sadly the Lyric is left vacant and dilapidated with little hope for the future.