Yamba Shores Tavern to construct five short-stay serviced apartments

Yamba Shores Tavern owner Matt Muir may have the answer to a true waterfront holiday experience for the popular coastal town.

Could this development application be Yamba’s missing link for locals? Matt Muir, owner of Yamba Shores Tavern, certainly thinks so.

Currently waiting on a thumbs up from Clarence Valley Council, Mr Muir said the proposed short-stay serviced apartments will fill a “massive void” in Yamba’s accommodation market.

“When people make a booking, particularly during the school holidays, the first question we’re asked is do we have accommodation,” he said.

“We did a full refurbishment of the tavern about 10 years ago, which won numerous awards, but what’s lacking is a true waterfront holiday experience.”

The five fully self-contained apartments will be located at the northeastern end of the Mainbrace, Yamba overlooking the water but without encroaching on the boundary.

Concept drawings of the proposed Yamba Shores serviced apartments from the water.

“There are two three-bedroom apartments, even a single-bedroom ground floor apartment with disabled facilities so there’s a full range of options there,” Mr Muir said.

Each apartment will also have an individual outdoor barbecue, an ensuite for every bedroom, and the option to order a breakfast or barbecue pack directly from the Tavern to save going into the supermarket.

Yamba Shores Tavern owner Matt Muir. Photo: Matt Leasegang.

“We just want to make the experience as comfortable as possible,” Mr Muir said.

“For us, we’ve always been about family, and because of that, we want to make sure it’s a clientele that will be in tune with the type of accommodation we’re offering.”

Mr Muir said the apartments would appeal to couples, young families, Clarence Valley locals looking for a nice night out in Yamba, right through to annual fishing trips.

The front facade of the proposed Yamba Shores serviced apartments.

“Lots of people come up here for fishing who are looking for accommodation right on the water where they can have their boat, so once this is up and running, we’ll be able to offer direct access because we have a pontoon,” he said.

Members of the public have until 4pm, September 17 to submit their comments about the development, number DA2021/0728.