Former Maylands Post Office site.
Camera IconFormer Maylands Post Office site. Credit: Supplied/Kristie Lim

City of Bayswater gives wine bar application at old Maylands Post Office site early tick of approval

Kristie LimEastern Reporter

THE former Maylands Post Office could be transformed into an “up market” wine bar after Bayswater City council approved a change of use application at last night’s committee meeting.

Built in 1910, the 450sq m site on Whatley Crescent is zoned as residential and commercial uses.

The wine bar will join Maylands’ selection of bars boasting Swallow Bar, Henry On Eighth, Peninsula Tavern and Chapels on Whatley.

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Councillors voted to grant planning approval to change the use to small bar and associated alterations, additions and signage subject to conditions.

Conditions include management plans to address the nature of any entertainment provided on the premises, control of anti-social behaviour, control of noise, recycling and a landscape plan.

Macro Management Services Pty Ltd managing director Nick Rogers, who addressed council on behalf of owner and applicant Maria Havilah, said the bar would serve international wines, local boutique beers and food prepared by a chef.

“It will be an up-market venue, stylised as a wine bar, which can set it apart in its distinctive design and warm environment,” he said.

“There will be a focus on the taste relationship between wine and food.

“The applicant has owned the building since the late 1990s.”

Mr Rogers said the applicant had previously owned a business and would have the experience to open a bar.

Councillor Catherine Ehrhardt said the bar was going to be sensitive to the heritage of the building and would be a good addition to the area.

Planning director Des Abel said the applicant would be responsible for the management of anti-social behaviour on the property while police and the City would continue to manage the area around it.

According to an officer’s report, the State Heritage Office (SHO) supported the proposed development of the property, which is on the State Register of Heritage Places.

The proposal included the partial demolition of the existing ground floor internal partitions and the upper floor mezzanine area, demolition of the rear toilet blocks and shed, a cool room and new toilet block additions to the rear of the existing building, front and rear alfresco seating areas and wall-mounted signage fronting Seventh Avenue.

The bar would open Monday to Sunday from 11am to 11pm and hire about 20 employees.

Parking will be available at nearby public parking places along with two to three ad-hoc car bays at the rear of the site.

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