Developer behind VIP Riviera-style deckchairs on Henley Beach pushing ahead with proposal
THE woman behind a plan to set up 100 sun lounges on Henley Beach this summer has promised to forge ahead with the plan, saying she will not allow “negative people to hold it back”.
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THE woman behind a plan to set up 100 sun lounges on Henley Beach this summer has promised to forge ahead with the plan, saying she will not allow “negative people to hold it back”.
Henley Beach Business Association chairwoman Gemma Foord Antunes said she will take her idea for “Henley meets the Riviera” to Charles Sturt Council for them to approve.
“I think that unfortunately only those with a negative opinion are those who are shouting the loudest,” Ms Foord Antunes said.
“There is a lot of people that I know of that think it’s a great idea and would love to see it trialled.
“The beach is still free, you can still use the jetty, the surf life saving club — all of that all still happens — everything stays the same but it’s adding something a little bit extra for a small area.”
Ms Foord Antunes has said the area for the lounges would not be an “exclusive” area which was roped off to non-paying beachgoers.
“The beauty of what we have in SA is we have such a vast coastline, whereas overseas they have a little pocket of coast which is completely overtaken by sun lounges,” she said.
“One thing that I did experience overseas was that it was very expensive and that is not what would happen here, if it were to be trialled.
“But it’s very nice being able to sit down and order something to eat and drink and not have to get your towel dirty or not even take a towel.”
An Advertiser.com.au poll last week found almost 73 per cent of the 1907 people opposed the idea.
Under the proposal, individual businesses would pay for their own lounges and umbrellas and serve people food and drink on the beach on Fridays and Saturdays only as part of a trial.
It comes as Charles Sturt Council is divided on whether to give the plans the go-ahead, with three councillors supporting it, five objecting to it and four still undecided.
A further four councillors could not be contacted.
Cr Mick Harley said the beach was “there for everybody”.
“In a way the idea is not bad but it will affect other traders so I’m really against it,” Cr Harley said. “I’m all in favour of changes but I’m against it because the beach should be free for everybody.”
Fellow councillor George Turelli said he was also “lukewarm” to the idea.
“In Australia we have a totally different environment to the European beaches and my initial reaction is that it’s not a good idea,” Cr Turelli said.
Cr Paul Alexandrides said the idea “can work”.
Ms Foord Antunes hoped to have the lounges in place by December, subject to approval.