More than 50 people turned out to voice their objections to part of the current licensing approval for the proposed Jones’ Beach Bar and Grill at Kiama Downs.

Under the current application, Gavin McKinnon has sought to run a restaurant and bar.

However, residents are concerned that some of the stipulations needed for the licence haven’t been completed, including contacting residents within 100 metres of the site to see if they had any objections.

The site already has DA approval for a restaurant. 

However Mr McKinnon, a former Australian Federal Police officer, said he believed that letters had been sent out to residents, a claim that residents challenged.

However, the main objection was the proposal for a second licence, a Primary Service Authorisation (PSA), which would allow him to serve alcohol without the normal requirement for people to purchase food as well.

Several residents said they feared the site would become like a hotel, which they believe would be inappropriate for the site.

Mr McKinnon said his intention was to open from 11am-10pm Sunday to Thursday, and 11am to midnight on Friday and Saturday.

“It’s not my intention to run a pub but rather a family-friendly bar and grill where locals could come and sit back, relax and enjoy a quiet drink or meal,” Mr McKinnon said.

‘‘The venue is already a licensed venue.

‘‘We need the add a PSA to allow us to serve alcohol independently and that will be up to the appropriate authorities to pass.”

He told the meeting that he had taken steps to minimise any negative impact on the neighbouring community.

“Any music will be acoustic, we won’t be allowing drinking on the balcony or smoking after 8pm, would ensure the back entrance to the arcade was locked and would install CCTV in the arcade and provide appropriate bins for smokers.’’

Mr McKinnon previously told the Kiama Independent that the business was still going through the process of acquiring a liquor license. He said he had received complaints from residents regarding noise and the previous occupants, a clubhouse for the Rebels motorcycle gang.

Senior Constable Mark Schmidt, licensing officer at the Lake Illawarra Local Area Command said police were putting together a submission to the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority objecting to the PSA.

He said police had some concerns, as they didn’t “want the place to be turned into a nightclub or bar”.

Senior Constable Mark Schmidt said the venue had a liquor license in the past, which was currently dormant. 

Both the Liquor licence transfer and PSA are currently under consideration. 

He also said that if the authority approved the PSA, police would like some conditions to be in place to restrict them. 

Kiama Deputy Mayor Warren Steel supported residents’ concerns.

“I’d like to see a restaurant there; a BYO or a normal license where you have to have a meal,” he said.

“But I don’t like being able to go in there and get a drink anytime.

“It (the site) has a DA for a restaurant… It’s had restaurants in the past, and they never had that license.’’