Restaurant, bar and microbrewery plan for prominent Marion Rd, Brooklyn Park location

The former West Torrens Council Chambers on Marion Rd would be transformed into a restaurant, bar and microbrewery, under plans to transform the prominent site.

Plans have been lodged to transform the former West Torrens Council Chamber on Marion Rd into a restaurant and bar. Picture: John Jennings

Plans are afoot to turn the former West Torrens Council Chambers in Brooklyn Park into a restaurant, as part of an overhaul of the prominent site.

Ekistics Planning and Design, for L Meyer, have lodged plans with West Torrens Council to transform the former West Torrens public service depot, at 108-118 Marion Rd.

Under the proposal, the former council chambers, which is on West Torrens’ local heritage list, would be turned into a restaurant and bar, with seating for 150 people.

It would operate between 5pm and midnight, seven days a week.

An area on its southern side would be set aside for future outdoor dining.

An artist impression of the redevelopment of the former West Torrens depot on Marion Rd.

An existing brick building in the site’s southeastern corner would be converted into a microbrewery, with a brewhouse and fermenting area to make beer.

It would include a bar and kitchen area, with seating for 80 people, and would operate between 10am and 6pm, seven days a week.

The microbrewery, too would have an area designated for future outdoor dining.

The site, which backs on to Edwin St, currently houses several large workshop buildings, that were previously used as storage for the former depot.

Under the plan, nine of these buildings would be demolished, and 17 commercial tenancies built.

Artist impression of the redevelopment of the former West Torrens depot on Marion Rd.

Vehicle access would be via Marion Rd, and there would be gated access on Edwin St, restricted to between 7am and 6pm, and 81 carparks.

A council report said nearby residents had raised concerns about the proposed development, including increased traffic and noise, odour from the microbrewery, the impact on nearby property values and that it would attract anti-social behaviour.

The applicant has responded by saying conditions would be placed on patron behaviour and that noise and odour levels were forecast to be below standards.

The council’s assessment panel is due to make a decision on the development at its meeting on Tuesday, May 11.

The council report recommends it be approved.

The applicant declined to comment until after Tuesday’s meeting.