Tavern support
Petition recognition in Bomboras’ bid for permanent beach outlet
A 1300-STRONG petition has been lodged in support of Bomboras’ bid to permanently open a new tavern on Torquay’s foreshore.
The contentious venture, which was trialled for six months over 2016-17, will be discussed at a Surf Coast Shire meeting tomorrow.
Bomboras’ owners have applied to operate a tavern on an adjoining public viewing deck area on Fisherman’s Beach.
Sixteen submissions were lodged with the council about the proposal.
Two of those were supportive, including a petition with about 1300 signatures.
The remaining 14 were against it.
According to the meeting’s agenda, most of the opponents were concerned about the use of public land, noise, light, a lack of car parking and impact on the public viewing platform.
Bomboras’ bid is backed by the Great Ocean Road Coastal Committee.
Development of the land has also been approved by the State Government’s relevant department, while council’s environmental health unit does not object to a permit.
After a long battle at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, which coowner Tom McGrath described as “nasty”, Bomboras was able to operate a pop-up tavern from October to April.
A sole complaint was made to council about the operation.
Bomboras had used the space until 9.30pm and hosted up to 96 people.
The new application would see the tavern open daily through until Easter Monday, and in school holidays, with up to 150 people.
It would open Thursday to Sunday the rest of the year, from noon to 10pm.
Eleven submitters, including the applicants, are listed to address the council’s submissions committee.