CONSTRUCTION FINISHED: The new cafe at the Jim Pollock Whyalla Wetlands.

Council crews have finished a car-parking area and will be putting the finishing touches on landscaping in time for next week’s opening of a new café at the Jim Pollock Whyalla Wetlands.

The Sumthin’ Tastee café is officially opening on Monday, October 8 following the completion of its unique construction. The café, built by proprietors Diane and Rob North, is a special-looking structure based on shipping containers.

Council CEO Chris Cowley said the new café was a win for the wetlands and the city. He said it was an example of private business working with Council to enhance a community facility and a special area of the city.

“The Jim Pollock Whyalla Wetlands is an amazing community facility and this café will be another, great drawcard for the area,” Chris said.

“Council is pleased to support this new business venture by initially providing the lease agreement at the wetlands and now by putting in this carpark and the surrounds near the café.”

MORE SPACE: The temporary carpark put in by Council this week.

The carpark will be a temporary surface with access off the main entrance to the wetlands. The next step for Council will be to make it a more formalised and permanent parking facility with special allowances for caravans.

“We are planning to have direct access off the highway into this carpark and by making more spaces for caravans we hope to attract even more visitors to stop off, have a coffee or a meal, enjoy the wetlands and hopefully stay in Whyalla an extra night,” Chris said.

“The carpark almost doubles the amount of parking at the wetlands and will make it even easier for visitors and locals to utilise and enjoy this beautiful area in our city.”

Di and Rob North are starting to get excited about the official opening of their café on Monday. The Sumthin’ Tastee café will be open from 7am, seven days a week with coffee, snacks, ice cream and meals.

Both Di and Rob are chefs and they are promising home-made products and a special, freshly-made treat each day.

“We will have coffee, a small permanent menu, a gelato bar and something different from our kitchen as a home-made special,” Di said.

“We would like to thank family and friends that have helped us bring this project to completion."