A PLANNED restaurant and bar at Jones’ Beach has been put on hold due to issues regarding licensing.
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More than 50 people recently attended a public meeting, many voicing their objections to part of the current licensing approval for the proposed Jones’ Beach Bar and Grill at Kiama Downs.
Gavin McKinnon sought to run a restaurant and bar.
However, a post on the restaurant Facebook page on Thursday said the proposal had been put on hold.
“Unfortunately due to a few ongoing issues we will not be opening in the near future,” he posted.
“I am trying my best to contact everyone who has made reservations.
“A massive thank you to everyone in the community that has supported us in our journey so far; I will keep you posted on future developments.”
Residents expressed concerns that some of the stipulations needed for the licence hadn’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, the main objection was the proposal for a second licence, a Primary Service Authorisation (PSA), which would allow the service of 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.
The venue had a liquor license in the past, which was currently dormant.
After posting the update, Mr McKinnon, a former Australian Federal Police officer, said there had been a “few issues with the liquor licensing and things like that”.
“It’s not in an area where it’s going to be viable purely as a restaurant,” he said.
“We’re in negotiations with a few different parties.”
Mr McKinnon said he still planned to open the business at a future date, and while he still viewed the proposed spot as viable, he may consider alternative venues.
“The support outweighed the objections; I’ve had massive support for it,” he said.
Mr McKinnon 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 previously told the Kiama Independent police were putting together a submission to the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority objecting to the PSA.
Kiama Deputy Mayor Warren Steel previously 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 in the November 26 edition of the Kiama Independent.
After hearing of the news the business would not open for the foreseeable future, Cr Steel said he was “a little bit disappointed”.
“I like to see people open a new enterprise and business,” he said.
“I would have liked to see a restaurant BYO and have drinks with your meal.
“I’d like to see it go ahead.
“I’d support him for a restaurant, as long as it’s not a hotel type.”