EVERY morning I wake up and look across the canal at a building that makes me feel physically sick due to the potential loss of the amenity of our beautiful, quiet and safe area.
We bought into the area knowing that a restaurant was an approved use in the building, but never envisaged a tavern.
We now enjoy a family-orientated, quiet, safe, beachside community.
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READ NOWAn application has been submitted to the City of Mandurah requesting the change of use of the premises at Port Quays, Wannanup, from a restaurant to tavern.
The applicant and the City have been marketing the premises as a restaurant, however a tavern licence authorises the sale and supply of liquor for consumption on the premises and the sale and supply of packaged liquor to patrons for consumption off the licensed premises.
All seating can be removed to allow standing only, with large numbers of people (up to 140) consuming only alcohol.
A restaurant licence authorises the sale and supply of liquor ancillary to a meal to a patron seated at a dining table.
We believe the provision for table service of alcohol is perfectly suited to the premises without the need for takeaway alcohol sales.
The applicant does not have only the local residents in mind because he wants to provide a bus from Mandurah to bring patrons to and from the premises.
A liquor store is already operating next to this building; therefore, there is no need for two take-away liquor stores within eight metres of each other.
This is a local and broader community issue because anti-social activity and an increase in alcohol consumption will happen.
In addition, due to the focus recently from both the State and Federal governments on the increase of alcohol and drug use in the Peel Region an approval of another tavern/liquor outlet should not be granted.
The premise is on a canal with private homes surrounding it and above it and the design is akin to an amphitheatre. When residents use their outdoor areas overlooking the water, most people can hear the conversations clearly.
Allowing large numbers to gather in such an area with alcohol consumption permitted will make this area unbearable.
If the application is approved, it will force us to put our property on the market and I doubt we will be able to sell it.
We know one resident who lives opposite the building is now leaving the area. It is not fair that an “outsider” can have an impact on our community in this way.
Name and address supplied.