Historic Austral Picture Theatre in Collingwood Destroyed by Fire

A devastating overnight fire has ravaged the historic Austral Picture Theatre in Collingwood, a cherished landmark in inner Melbourne.

The blaze, which broke out on Johnston Street around 10:30pm, had engulfed the double-storey building with thick smoke and flames, prompting a swift response from firefighters.

Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) crews successfully contained the fire, preventing it from spreading to neighboring properties, but not before the 105-year-old building had suffered extensive damage.

The fire has been deemed suspicious, and Victoria Police have launched an investigation, with an arson chemist working to determine the cause of the blaze.

A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed that the building was abandoned at the time of the fire and that no one was believed to have been inside.

The Austral Picture Theatre, built in 1921, held significant historical and architectural value, boasting a Greek revival-style design, although it was not heritage-protected.

The Heritage Council of Victoria noted that while the building had undergone some changes, particularly on the ground floor, many of its original features remained intact.

“It has local social and historic significance as a former long-term public building,” the council’s website stated.

The building had previously served as a rollerskating rink and was occupied by a carpet store before being abandoned.

In 2021, locals rallied against a proposal to demolish the theatre to make way for an 11-storey apartment building, highlighting its importance as a piece of neighborhood history.

A social media post from the Protect Collingwood/Abbortsford group at the time read: “Don’t let the Austral Picture theatre with its intact interior be demolished like the former Star Lyric Theatre.”

The campaign ultimately proved successful, with no construction having commenced on the site.

Police will continue to investigate the cause of the fire.