Microbrewery out of favour

Less than a quarter of public submissions on a proposed microbrewery at Busselton foreshore were in favour of the revised plan which will be considered by the council this month.

The City of Busselton and a confidential developer reduced the footprint of the microbrewery, restaurant and function centre on the foreshore from 2100sqm to 1700sqm in May after negative feedback.

But the change seems to have made little difference in the public’s eyes. The City received 33 responses in support of the reduced proposal and 107 opposing it.

The initial feedback period in February attracted only 25 submissions, all opposing the plan.

City chief executive Mike Archer said this did not necessarily mean the microbrewery was off the table.

“Among the ‘yes’ responses were submissions received from the Geographe Bay Tourism Association, which has 430 members and the Busselton Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which has over 300 members, ” he said.

“These submissions were counted as single responses in the above summary.”

Mr Archer said the negative submissions related to concerns licensed premises at the foreshore would not be family friendly and may attract anti-social behaviour.

He said the size of the proposal was also raised, but generally this related back to the liquor licence.

Mr Archer said other areas of concern included a lack of parking at the foreshore and the development’s impact on views.

“Very few made specific comment on the actual footprint size, ” he said.

“The majority of negative responses did not like the concept at all or were against a two-level development.”

Mr Archer said positive submissions argued the proposal would enhance the foreshore and jetty redevelopment and create a unique hospitality destination.

He said many of those submissions implied the City should accelerate the plan.

“(They said) the proposed development is long overdue and with careful planning will attract greater visitation to Busselton and facilitate more public investment, ” he said.

The proposal will come before the council on July 23.

Councillors first need to endorse changes to the Busselton Foreshore Master Plan and Development Guide Plan, which they will consider next Wednesday.

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