Cafe plans still in percolation

‘We talked with Mr Marshall last month and the council now needs an independent valuation to decide on the rental,’ Mr Norris said.

The cafe’s lease may be the council’s first opportunity to have a profit-making agreement with an operator of one of its buildings used mostly by community groups.

Mr Norris said the cafe would be in the most northern car park opposite the Beehive Montessori School on Curtin Avenue.

He said it would not interfere with adjacent sand dunes and it was not believed community consultation was needed because the cafe’s only neighbour was the school, which favoured the proposal.

Council staff and Mr Norris were given no indication of the cafe’s potential size or design during the meeting with Mr Marshall, whose next step was a development application.

Mr Marshall said he would like to apply soon but he was still waiting for Department of Regional Lands and Development acknowledgement the land could be excised from the council’s recreational use for a commercial enterprise.

He defended his proposal’s viability given there were six other large beachside cafes in 5km from Swanbourne to North Fremantle.

‘They’ve all got their quirks, but what I have envisaged will be far, far different,’ he said.

A Regional Lands and Development Department spokeswoman said the site could be excised after the council conducts public consultation and after ministerial approval. However, she said a time for making the change could not be estimated at present.