Council rethinks policy on foreshore

A proposed policy which would permit decommissioned railway carriages and prefabricated transportable buildings to be placed temporarily on the Geraldton foreshore is to be advertised for public comment.

However, the structures could cover no more than 50 square metres, be capable of being removed within 48 hours, and strict guidelines would apply to providers of services or facilities using them.

The draft foreshore use and development policy was endorsed at this week’s city council meeting, which also approved lease arrangements for a controversial sea container café near the corner of Foreshore Drive and Forrest Street.

The draft policy will be open for public comment for 42 days.

It includes a description of a “temporary structure” - the category applying to the proposed sea container café - and one for “transportable” structures which could be held in place primarily by their own mass.

It says the City would allow temporary and transportable structures where their use was “in keeping with the character and increases activation and visitation of the foreshore”.

However, it would not permit construction of permanent structures, except those installed by the City to enhance amenity, like barbecues, lighting and seating areas.

The draft emphasises the use of temporary and transportable structures must be weighed against the principle of a “people-focused”, not “building focused” space which would promote active and passive recreation, health and wellbeing for visitors and residents.

Some councillors questioned whether the draft policy should come before the same council meeting which was considering foreshore-use issues relating to the sea container café.

However, council ultimately decided to release the draft for public comment, and accepted a compromise on the sea container in which the proponent agreed to a smaller alfresco area and an increased lease.

Lease arrangements for the café were endorsed with an 12-3 vote.

This followed changes in the original application to lease 24 square metres for the sea container, with an adjacent 100 square metre decking and alfresco area being treated as public open space accessible to all foreshore users regardless of whether they were customers.

An officer’s report to the council said the proponent, Christian Watters, had responded to public concern about the original proposal by seeking a reduction in the alfresco area to 24 square metres, and to both areas being leased, not just the land “footprint” of the sea container.

This would double the commencement lease fee for the total 48 square metres from $3948 to $7896, plus GST.

Universal access to the alfresco area would be maintained.

Subject to the decision being approved by the Minister for Lands, Mr Watters will be able to enter into a three-year lease with an option of two further three-year terms, starting on September 1.

He will have to pay separately rates, taxes and other utilities and all service connection and installation costs.

Mr Watters will also be responsible for construction and maintenance of the timber deck/universal access alfresco area, fitting out the sea container and its external cladding, and supplying tables and chairs which would be secured to the decking after hours.

The council’s decision was made after considering 28 submissions, 10 backing the proposal and 18 against. A petition with 280 signatures was also received opposing it.