Drink venues set for Bell St

Alex de Vos
Developers have revealed plans to build two taverns on Torquay’s Bell Street.
Surf Coast Shire has approved a planning permit to transform Ripe Lounge and an adjoining former wine bar into a tavern for crowds of up to 120 patrons at 1-2/24 Bell Street. The tavern would hold double the patrons of Ripe.
The shire’s planning committee gave the tavern a green light to operate until midnight weekdays and 1am on weekends.
Surf Coast Shire received seven objections from residents and business owners concerned about increased noise, parking and activities typical of larger hotels such as live music.
Three objections were withdrawn after the developer dumped a proposed “smokers’ courtyard”.
Great Ocean Road Coast Committee executive officer David Clarke opposed the proposal on the grounds it could disturb campers across the road.
“Our objection was to highlight the proximity of the caravan park,” Mr Clarke said.
“We want to make sure that noise and other related issues are taken into account as well as hours of operation.”
Torquay business owner Max Findlay also objected to the tavern before revealing to the Independent his own plan for a similar venue behind his Nocturnal Donkey premises.
“I was a concerned neighbour wanting to make sure it (the tavern) didn’t get out of control,” Mr Findlay said.
“But I’m okay with it because I’m going to do build one myself over the road.”
Mr Findlay said he had applied for a planning permit to build a tavern four years ago but the shire knocked his application back on parking grounds.
“Back then you needed to have 30 car parks but these days there’s not as much emphasis on car parking.”
The Independent was unable to contact the tavern’s operator.