Whyalla City Council is seeking the community’s input and support in activating the foreshore area for a unique summer experience, while seeking to address the closure of a popular beachside facility.
With the long-term future of the precinct to be guided by community feedback over the coming months as part of the Foreshore Master Plan development, council is looking to trial a series of pop-up activities over the school holiday and festive period, aimed at encouraging residents to actively engage with the area.
In particular, this will include an increased food offering right across the broader foreshore.
Whyalla City Council CEO Justin Commons said while the food options were part of the trial, they were also in response to the unfortunate need to close the Beach Café.
“Nik and his team have done a fantastic job in catering for the community over a number of years by creating a business that is genuinely valued by both locals and tourists,” Mr Commons said.
“Despite the excellent service, the café building is no longer fit for purpose for its current use. Recent inspections have confirmed an investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars would be required to bring the building up to the required standards in order to prepare and serve hot food.
“Given this building is not being used as a community facility, but rather as a business, council believes it’s in the ratepayers’ best interests to not invest in the outdated facility.”
Mr Commons said this was particularly pertinent given the foreshore master planning process was imminent.
“The community may identify other priorities for the area through this process, rendering an upgrade a waste of ratepayer funds,” he said.
“Similar to the decision regarding the old jetty, council would rather invest in new facilities on the foreshore than put money into an old facility that does not meet contemporary standards.
“This decision does not take away from, nor reflect on, everything Nik has delivered in his time, and I’d like to sincerely thank him on behalf of council and the community for his hard work over the years.”
In order to address the loss of catering through the Beach Café (which will cease operations on 5 January 2021), council is arranging for an extensive food offering right across the foreshore precinct through a number of mobile food vans.
With the spectacular new jetty attracting around 40,000 visits since its opening (an average of over 500 per day), Mr Commons said now was the time to rejuvenate this increasingly popular area.
“By bringing in food vans, we can have a diverse range that spans across the foreshore precinct,” he said.
“Combine this with pop-up activities – plus increased shade, tables and seating – and we hope to create a festive atmosphere that caters for all of our visitors while complementing our stunning new jetty.
“As mentioned earlier this week, this will be a precursor to an exciting revamp of the foreshore, in which council wants the community to play a key role through our extensive master plan consultation, which will start early next year.”
Council is keen to hear from the community on what activities they’d like to see on offer as part of the ‘Summer by the Sea’ experience – you can send your suggestions to council@whyalla.sa.gov.au.