Ocean Centre Hotel operators concerned about noise pollution from potential brewery location on foreshore

The operator of the Ocean Centre Hotel has raised concerns about noise pollution that could come from a proposed brewery development on Geraldton’s foreshore. Mark Ramage raised the question about the Froth Craft Brewery proposal during public question time during the City of Greater Geraldton April agenda forum on Tuesday evening. “We have 16 rooms that are 15m from this proposed venue. We already receive the occasional guest complaint about noise from The Foreshore (bar, which is further away),” he said. Existing Froth locations at North Beach, Exmouth and Bunbury showcase live music across the weekend, including DJ sets, which can run until 10pm. Mr Ramage asked the council if “a condition of approval that the glass used in the bi-fold doors of the venue would be of a high acoustic rating to minimise noise”. The question was directed to Ryan Hall, the city’s director of development services. Mr Hall said there was an existing noise management plan which projects must be assessed for prior to approvals, and looking at materials like glass are apart of the consideration process. Froth owners are currently assessing a site on the Geraldton foreshore to become their fourth location. At the City of Greater Geraldton council meeting on Tuesday, April 30, councillors will vote on whether to approve a venue in the Geraldton CBD. Executive staff have recommended the development application be approved. According to the plans, Froth is looking to open a tavern based on the corner of Cathedral Avenue and Foreshore Drive — the site of the old Skeetas restaurant. Mr Hall said it would be a great inclusion for the town centre. “It’s a unique location right on the foreshore, which I think is a building being a little bit underutilised,” he said.