Yamba Surf Hotel responds to liquor licence concerns

A hotel spokesperson denies the licence will encourage bad behaviour but several letters opposing the plan have already been submitted to council.

An architect's original impression of the proposed Surf Motel in Yamba from 2014.

A Yamba boutique hotel has ruffled more community feathers with a liquor licence application currently awaiting approval.

The Surf Yamba applied for an on-premises liquor licence – accommodation which allows for the sale of alcohol in conjunction with food, entertainment, and/or accommodation.

Several submissions opposing Surf Yamba’s application have been submitted to Clarence Valley Council as a result.

“There would also be the risk of articles (bottles, cups) being thrown from the open pool rooftop proposed function area onto the public road at the front and adjoining land and roofs,” one submission stated.

However, a spokesperson for the hotel confirmed with the Daily Examiner that the liquor licence was not intended for major functions, let alone any plans for a bar or nightclub, but to allow alcohol be supplied in each room mini fridge.

“It’s common practice to have a minibar with alcohol so that’s what we’ve done,” the spokesperson said.

“We’re a boutique hotel, not a pub, and we don’t have any plans to open a bar, disco or anything like that.”

The spokesperson added that NSW Police had visited the premises to ensure the liquor license would be appropriate to the venue and its use.

“We understand the community’s concerns about having lots of people here, but can assure everyone there would only ever be a maximum of 40 to 50 people if the whole place was booked out,” the spokesperson said.

“Regardless, we will certainly be compliant with the curfews.”

This is not the first time the hotel has come under community fire.

In September 2015, despite objections from nearby residents, the council approved a DA for the demolition of the Surf Motel to be replaced with the now four storey, 12-unit boutique hotel including a ground-floor cafe and a rooftop entertainment area.

However, in 2019, plans for the cafe were removed, resulting in 21 submissions objecting to the new plans, with the removal of the cafe receiving the most comment.