KOOKABURRA outdoor cinema owner Peter Foyster says the long-time Mundaring landmark will no longer operate after its winter break if no new operator steps in.

Despite the community rallying at the start of July, as reported in Community rallies for Kookaburra cinema Mr Foyster said the community icon had begun closing the page on the final chapter.

“It started with the pandemic,” he said.

“Then the storm hit and wrecked the screen, someone stole the ride-on mower, and the seat canvases started breaking down.

“It’s been one thing after another.”

The cinema suffered major storm damage in January 2024, with falling trees snapping the screen frame and tearing down fences as reported in Kookaburra Cinema future uncertain after storm.

Although prisoners from Wooroloo Prison Farm helped with the recovery, allowing the venue to reopen in November as reported in Kookaburra Cinema reopens next month, Mr Foyster said the long-term viability was never guaranteed.

“I was hoping someone from the community might take it over,” he said.

“I offered to help, offered all the equipment, and even said they could pay it off gradually from profits, but no one has followed through.

“Some showed early interest but couldn’t secure finance or didn’t stay in touch.”

Mr Foyster said if no suitable operator is found, the cinema will be dismantled completely and sold off, including the newly repaired screen.

“I’ll be writing to my patrons shortly,” he said.

“If nothing changes, I’ll drop the screen, remove the seats and sell whatever’s worth anything.”

The cinema has been running since the 1990s and has held a special place in the hills community.

Mr Foyster, who bought it in 2015, said he’s proud of what the venue has meant to the Mundaring crowd and beyond.

“I’ve got a database of every film ever shown, all the ticket numbers, even the weather on each night,” he said.

“But these days, goodwill doesn’t seem to count for much.”

He said he was still open to helping someone get it running again if they have the drive and know-how.

“It’s ready to go,” Mr Foyster said.

“I’d help them get started, but I can’t keep doing it myself.”

Interested parties may contact Mr Foyster directly via 0434 552 056.