A CAFÉ on Dunsborough’s foreshore is another step closer to fruition with a popular Margaret River hospitality company selected as the preferred proponent for the site.
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City of Busselton councillors last week unanimously voted to nominate the White Elephant Gnarabup Beach Pty Ltd group as the lease holder of the site for 12 months.
Joint owner of the White Elephant Gnarabup Beach café and Morries Anytime Restaurant in Margaret River Anthony Janssen said they hoped to start building as soon as possible.
“There is still a lot of process and planning to work through with the city, these things can take time,” Mr Janssen said.
Mr Janssen confirmed former Aravina Estate head chef Tony Howell would be joining their team as an equity partner taking care of the kitchens within the group as executive chef.
“Mr Howell will play a major role in the development of the foreshore project and we are all really excited to be working together,” he said.
The City of Busselton opened expressions of interest last year after extensive community consultation was carried out regarding resident concerns over the location.
In June 2014 the council voted to change the location of the café to east of Centennial Park behind the existing car park and toilet block.
Mr Janssen said the emphasis of the design would be on the location and making the most of the northern aspect.
He said they expected to build a basic skillion structure using as much natural material as possible.
“Given the small footprint, the building would blend in well to the natural surrounds with as little visual and environmental impact as possible,” Mr Janssen said.
Mr Janssen said they would allow up to 12 months for the building work to be completed.
“We expect to seat approximately 130 people inside and out and provide high quality, casual beachside style food, fast coffee and on the go food and drink to cater for the traffic enjoying the foreshore,” he said.
The City of Busselton chief executive officer Mike Archer will write to the Department of Lands to seek approval to lease a portion of the reserve for up to 30 years to facilitate Mr Janssen’s proposal.
Issues still to be considered by council include ground rent, lease term, asset management, potential council contributions to car parking improvements, landscaping proposals and legal considerations.
Have your say, what would you like to see on the Dunsborough foreshore?
