FAQs
Why do we need another café?
The word café is just a shorthand for a dining venue and hospitality space. This would be in addition to the adopted plan to deliver a new modern kiosk as part of the facility.
The space, once leased, could be used in any number of ways that could increase the variety of dining options and hospitality styles available to residents and visitors.
Why do we need to improve the facilities?
During the engagement phase of the Master Plan we very clearly heard from the community that it was a priority to bring together services such as amenities and kiosk into a single hub that was safer and more accessible.
The hub will include accessible amenities, a changing place and modern kiosk.
How could the cafe and event space be used?
The café would be leased to a commercial business within the surrounds of the open community recreational space.
The new space could provide potential for a dining venue with increased variety in food options and an event venue for hire with great visual appeal. The operation of the café and event space would be leased out, creating a local business opportunity.
Is it a community facility or commercial business?
Both. The hub containing amenities, kiosk and possibly a café and event space is both community and commercial space. This is a model used in many coastal recreation locations where a commercially leased business operates within the footprint of community reserve.
How can Council justify the cost of a new building?
A new amenities and kiosk are a central part of the adopted Master Plan. The capital funding for this new building, whether a café and event space is included or not, will likely come through a grant. This creates the opportunity to add an asset to Council at minimal cost and creates ongoing income from the lease, helping to fund maintenance and cleaning of the facility.
Why doesn’t Council just renovate the Surf Life Saving Club?
The Surf Life Saving Club is not a Council asset. Council is not the owner of the building and we don’t dictate its functionality.
The Club sits on its own separate parcel of crown land. Decisions on whether to renovate the Surf Life Saving Club lie with club Board and members.
Why doesn’t Council just renovate the existing kiosk?
A clear outcome of the engagement on the Master Plan was that the current kiosk, while nostalgic and functional is in the wrong location. The junction of vehicles, families and children with unclear lines of site create risks.
The building is past the end of its functional life and creating a purpose-built facility that combines the amenities, a safer location and flows onto shaded tables and grass will improve the opportunity for everyone to enjoy the reserve spaces.
Won’t this harm the local economy?
A new cafe and event space could improve the overall tourism experience in South West Rocks, making it a more attractive destination for visitors. This could increase the length of time visitors stay in the area, as well as encourage them to return for future trips.
It may also provide an option for different trading hours than currently offered from local businesses, helping to support and increase local spending.
The construction and operation of the hub building, even if it includes only a kiosk and amenities will create new job opportunities.
Isn’t this just removing green space?
The footprint of the potential building, including the café and event space is not much larger than the existing kiosk and amenities blocks which will be reclaimed as green space as per the Master Plan.
A new facility could be designed with environmental sustainability in mind, incorporating features such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and other eco-friendly technologies.
This could align with the council's commitment to environmental sustainability and could also serve as an example for other businesses and organisations in the area.
How could this help Council?
Council could generate revenue from leasing the space to a private operator. This revenue would be reinvested back into the building maintenance and improvements as well as the wider reserve area. Money made from operations on crown land has to be reinvested back into maintenance and improvements of the crown land.
Will it damage the beauty of the area?
There is no suggestion of an additional building. There will be one fewer buildings with the removal of the existing kiosk and amenities buildings.
A new, well-designed, facility could improve the overall image of South West Rocks, showing that the council and community are committed to providing high-quality amenities and services for residents and visitors alike.
Won’t this make the parking problem worse?
The Horseshoe Bay Master Plan includes provision for improving parking in and around the foreshore.