The interior of the building began to come down mid Monday and continued on Tuesday and yesterday along with the removal of the front awning. It will be reduced to a mere shell as all of the interior and roof are removed before the structure is demolished completely next week.

The work puts an end to the lengthy debate of whether the icon that had past significance should make way for progress and developments.

The demolition of the theatre was approved by Glen Innes Severn councillors in a unanimous vote at the July 24 meeting on the condition that an acceptable historical documentation was submitted to council.

Hill Lockart Architects were employed to undertake the documentation that has now been approved by Glen Innes Severn Council’s heritage advisor Graham Wilson.

“We submitted reports to council as there was the requirement of further information for the construction to be approved. It was general information that pertained to the heritage information in the report that was submitted to council,” Hill Lockart representative Nick Brown said.

Glen Innes Severn Council Director of Development and Environmental Services Graham Price said that the required report was approved with no further enquiries needed.

“It was all submitted and approved by heritage advisor Graham Wilson on August 5.

“It met all conditions applicable for the consent and the developers were issued with a construction certificate last week,” he said.

The Roxy Theatre will still be remembered at the location however with a condition of the approval being that a monument be constructed for inclusion in the landscapes forecourt of the restaurants façade facing Meade Street, which will depict, in etched holograph form, the façade photograph and a written history of the building.

Developer Theo Zannes anticipated that construction of both the jointly branded Woolworths Caltex service station and McDonalds restaurant to be completed by the end of the year.

“The work will begin soon after the demolition as both have to be finished before Christmas,” he said.