Publican Arthur Barrett threatens to pull out of pub project as liquor licence revoked after NIMBYs complain

The publican behind a planned Waikiki tavern has threatened to pull out of the beachfront project rather than build a pub with no beer, after its liquor licence was revoked. Arthur Barrett said the planned tavern was initially granted a liquor licence in January, set to go live once construction was complete. But the Liquor Commission revoked the licence the following month when two local residents complained that it was not a suitable location for a tavern — despite being the same site where the Waikiki Hotel had operated for 65 years until the mid 2000s. The Liquor Commission has yet to make a final decision on whether to re-grant the licence, after closing submissions into the matter on August 1, and there is no statutory timeframe for the matter to be determined. Mr Barrett said it defied belief that the fate of a tavern with broad support rested on two complaints from residents who lived about 175 metres away. “It’s the NIMBY theory — two residents don’t want it in their backyard,” he said. “But we are planning a really good, decent, family-friendly tavern, which doesn’t really exist in the Rockingham area.” Developer Rhys Kelly, who is behind the broader $12 million mixed-use development — which includes the proposed tavern and children’s playground, as well as a gym and childcare centre — said the council had insisted the project include a tavern. “It’s quite ridiculous that you have a property that has been a pub on and off for 65 years, is zoned for a pub, has a heritage overlay in reference to being a former pub, the council requires a pub as part of development yet two residents complain about the site being developed into a pub and the wheels of progress grind to a halt,” he said. “(It’s) not really promoting Rockingham as a destination open to development for the influx of AUKUS families.” The Metro Outer Development Assessment Panel last month unanimously approved some design changes to the pub, praising its re-orientation towards the foreshore. Speaking at the October 14 hearing with planning authorities, City of Rockingham councillor Mark Jones said the City was keen to see the development go ahead. “This site has a long history of being a tavern site and it was a request of the city that a tavern go into this site,” he said. The city’s public consultation indicated broad — but not unanimous support — with 52 of the 86 submissions in support and 20 objecting. Concerns raised included noise and parking. Mr Barrett said he understood there may be concerns about the 1000-person capacity for the tavern, including its bar, restaurant and function centre. He said the venue would not necessarily cater to this many people, especially after its redesign reduced the internal footprint by more than 200sqm. The West Australian was unable to obtain a copy of the complaints from the two residents, which are not on the public record. But it is understood the objections claimed the tavern was not in the public interest, would cause harm or ill-health due to the use of liquor, would cause offence, annoyance and inconvenience to people who reside in the area, and would also affect the amenity, quiet or good order of the locality.

Publican Arthur Barrett threatens to pull out of pub project as liquor licence revoked after NIMBYs complain

The No. 1 source of news for every West Australian