Cafe business owners claim they have been ‘shafted’ in contentious $12m Normanville foreshore upgrade

The public is being forced to make way for a multimillion-dollar foreshore upgrade that’s going to put their needs second, say the owners of an “iconic” cafe.

Normanville Kiosk and Cafe owners Jim and Charmaine Liapis are worried about what the area’s $12m foreshore upgrade will mean for their business. Picture: Tom Huntley

The owners of Normanville Kiosk and Cafe say they are being “shafted” in a $5.4m plan to rebuild the eatery and neighbouring surf life saving club.

However, council chief executive Nigel Morris says meeting the operators’ needs, at the same time as keeping the development’s costs in check, is “a balancing act”.

Jim and Charmaine Liapis bought the business six years ago, and are worried about what the future holds amid a contentious $12m upgrade of the Normanville foreshore.

The Yankalilla Council plan includes a new two-storey surf life saving club, with an attached kiosk and cafe, replacing the existing buildings.

But the couple say under the plans, they would pay more rent and get less usable floor space.

They say it would be difficult to serve casual patrons during winter, such as dog walkers, because a proposed downstairs eating area is exposed to the elements.

The couple want the area enclosed or semi-enclosed, and they are also calling for a non-compete clause in contracts for the site, stopping the surf club from serving meals to the general public outside of private functions.

“Before us, the kiosk was derelict but we’ve made it an icon of Normanville,” Mr Liapis said.

“After bringing life back to the cafe and employing 35 staff we’re basically being told take it or leave it and that’s not fair.

An artist's impression of the new Normanville surf life saving club and kiosk building. Picture: Supplied

“Right now, what we’re seeing is that the surf club is getting an amazing facility but the kiosk and cafe, which is what the community uses, is getting shafted.”

They are also concerned about other elements in the designs, including a shortfall in space for waste.

Councillors will discuss the development at a special meeting on Thursday.

Mr Morris said the kiosk and cafe would get at least the same amount of floorspace as it has now. He said enclosing the downstairs kiosk was “absolutely” on the table but costs must be considered.

The Normanville foreshore as it currently appears. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“Council needs to listen to Jim and Charmaine but they’re also listening to the community as well, that are saying no more debt,” Mr Morris said. “It just can’t be a bigger building without going into more debt.”

Mr Morris said the downstairs kiosk would replicate the business’s current arrangements, which provided takeaway during cooler months.

It would also give flexibility for the upstairs section to be either open or shut depending on demand.

The council was yet to discuss future lease arrangements, Mr Morris said, including rent. The wider foreshore development also includes 20 new cabins at the local council-owned caravan park, a new plaza, larger lawn area and boardwalk upgrade.

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