Council rejects alcohol exemption

PATRONS dining at the River Junction Cafe and Pizzeria will not be able to enjoy a glass of wine outside after a decision by Richmond Valley Council.

Dry arguement: River Junction Cafe and Pizzeria owners Kerry O’Connor (left) and Dianne Mancell areunhappy over Richmond Valley Council’s refusal to exempt them from the alcohol-free zone outside their premises in Richmond Terrace at Coraki. . Picture: Jay Cronan

PATRONS dining at the River Junction Cafe and Pizzeria at Coraki will not be able to enjoy a glass of wine al fresco style after a decision by Richmond Valley Council on Tuesday night.

The cafe owners applied for an exemption from an alcohol-free zone, which includes the footpath in front of their restaurant, so they could offer their customers the option of dining on the footpath with a view of the river and drinking BYO alcohol.

After much deliberation, councillors voted that the alcohol-free zone on Richmond Terrace would remain unchanged.

Coraki has had issues of alcohol-related violence in the past which has been dramatically reduced due to police monitoring.

Cr Donella Kinnish said ‘the potential still existed there for alcohol-related violence’.

“We want to do everything we can, but this situation is unique,” she said.

River Junction Cafe and Pizz- eria co-owner Dianne Mancell is extremely disappointed.

“We certainly are not going to accept that as the last decision,” she said. “We will be seeking legal advice, community consultation and further media intervention.”

Originally published as Council rejects alcohol exemption