A PUBLIC outcry prompted Wattle Range Council to vote against a proposed extension of Beachport’s Waterfront Cafe into an adjacent children’s playground.
At its monthly meeting last week, a motion was carried not to consent to development approval on council’s land.
This follows a public consultation process indicating 45pc of Beachport and Millicent residents who took part in various surveys “strongly opposed” the extension.
In addition, 11pc said they were against the proposal in its current form, but supported the concept.
Almost 34pc “strongly supported the proposal”.
Beachport Cafe submitted an application to council late last year for a side access doorway leading to the playground which was later broadened to include a viewing deck or outdoor cafe area that overlooked the playground.
Alcohol would be prohibited on the fenced-off deck and it would be a non-smoking zone given its proximity to the playground.
However, the proposal received strong opposition from a majority of the 150 people who took part in the public consultation process.
Concerns were raised about the fact the Susan Wilson specifically bequeathed the land as a playground and that a part of it would now be utilised by a private developer.
Another point of contention was the development would have impacted a mural which tells the story of Beachport and was highly valued by many residents.
In addition concerns were raised during council’s meeting that it would be difficult to prohibit alcohol from being taken onto the deck on occasion.
The point was raised that a parent having a glass of wine inside the cafe would “naturally go outside” when they hear a child’s call and would probably take the glass of wine with them.
In that case the owner of the cafe would be in breach of their liquor licence.
In general those against it felt a business holding a liquor licence should not extend into a public children’s playground in the heart of the town.
However, those in support felt the deck would “greatly enhance the functionality of the park as there are no venues in Beachport catering for children”.
They supported “cafe access directly from the playground” since children would be able to play while parents can relax either inside or outside on the deck.
