The cinema was shut down amid a damning structural report, which claimed the iconic local building was at serious risk of collapse.

The report tendered earlier this month claimed sections of the southern-facing wall had shown rapid signs of deterioration.

Council’s planning director Gary Ryman said the issue had become a matter of public safety.

“Given the circumstances surrounding the report and our own assessment of the damage, there just isn’t any way we can keep it open,” Mr Ryman said.

“How significant the damage is, is still being determined ... but there’s too much potential for the wall to come down and we couldn’t conceivably operate with that in mind.”

Cinema operator Joy Martin said sections of the building were so worn that bricks and mortar had been virtually reduced to dust.

Ms Martin had planed to develop the cinema as a multi-purpose centre for community and sporting organisations, but with her contract set to expire on October 17 and the future of the service in doubt; those plans have been shelved.

“It’s devastating, especially for the kids,” Ms Martin said.

“They’re are the reason we are open ... it’s just sad to see them lose another service.”

The cinema operator is now shoring up support to establish a working committee dedicated to restoring the lost cinema.

Ms Martin wants to develop a committee to look at ways of retaining the service by creating a larger leisure complex, which could hold a tenpin bowling alley.

However, the outcome will hinge on the result of next month’s first meeting of the new council, Mr Ryman said.

No plans have been made to demolish the building because of its heritage value, but budget constraints could hinder any capital improvements.

Cr Peter Yench yesterday said he was shocked and dismayed by the closure.

“I want to know why it was that the councillors weren’t told about the problem,” he said.