Tavern saga drawing to close
PLANS for a licensed tavern on Torquay’s Fisherman’s Beach foreshore will be decided by Surf Coast Shire tomorrow night.
After a long-running saga, the nine councillors will vote to give permanent approval to the proposal by Bomboras, which operates the kiosk at Fisherman’s Beach and an eatery on The Esplanade in Torquay.
Bomboras extended the kiosk by setting up a pop-up bar on the upstairs beachviewing deck last summer, but had to overcome some opposition to its plans.
However, with a 1300signature petition backing its plan and further support from the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee, a shire report to tomorrow night’s meeting recommends councillors approve the permanent plan for the tavern.
Under the proposed conditions, the tavern would have a noise limit and a maximum patronage of 150. It would not serve drinks in glass or offer any takeaway food or drink, and would not be available for private functions.
The report cites the successful operation of the venture in the past and the economic and tourism benefits.
Bomboras co-owner Tom McGrath said yesterday he was optimistic the plan would win the favour of councillors.
Mr McGrath said the tavern would offer a relaxed, family feel.
“It’s a cruisy beach sunset bar vibe,” he said.
“Really just a continuation of the crowd we get for breakfast and coffees downstairs in the morning.”
While the plans are in place, Mr McGrath said there were issues that needed to be worked through with council and a liquor licence would also have to be obtained.
“I’d like to think we’ll be in a position to open in early December, but it’s just too early to say for sure,” he said.
“We’ve had great support from the local community, so we are very keen to do something when we reopen to show our thanks to those people who signed our petition or made their support known in other ways.”
The report to council proposes the tavern be allowed to operate daily from noon to 9.30pm between October 1 and April 1, and from noon to 6pm Thursday to Sunday during the colder months.