Cheers! City of Greater Geraldton votes in favour of new pub on the foreshore

The City of Greater Geraldton has voted in support of a new pub to be constructed on the Geraldton foreshore. Set to be located at the site of the old Skeetas restaurant on the corner of Foreshore Drive and Cathedral Avenue, Froth Craft Brewery put in a development application to the council for a tavern. Perth-based development firm Harley Dykstra was the proponent on behalf of Froth. The brewing company opened its first pub in Exmouth in 2017, and has more recently expanded to Bunbury and North Beach in Perth’s northern suburbs. The Geraldton design was originally proposed with a microbrewery attached, but was removed after concerns were raised over the discharge of large amounts of water and the smell it may produce. At Tuesday’s council meeting, deputy mayor Natasha Colliver moved the recommendation to approve the development, saying it is in a prime location with a company that has had success in other locations. She acknowledged the noise complaints brought up by local stakeholders during the planning, but said it had been taken into consideration. According to the council agenda, the council acknowledged noise is “a valid concern”, but plans were “to the satisfaction of the city”. Cr Steve Cooper also moved for the motion, saying the plans were “well thought out” and “trendy”, and would go well with other facilities in the area. However, Cr Aaron Horsman spoke against the development, arguing there were concerns for parking, and the number of similar establishments in the area. Cr Peter Fiorenza spoke at the meeting, saying he believed any issues regarding noise and parking would be taken into consideration. The council voted in favour of the motion, 9-1. Froth Craft Brewers was approached by the Geraldton Guardian and declined to comment.