Nelligen publican Joel Alvey pleas to save historic Steampacket Hotel

Owners of the historic Steampacket Hotel in Nelligen are calling on locals to help save their pub from redevelopment in a new and novel way: by banding together and buying the pub themselves.

In a last-ditch effort to save the Steampacket Hotel in Nelligen from redevelopment, the family behind the bar at the decades-old watering hole have made a desperate pitch to the local community: band together, purchase the pub, and save the “bushmates’ beach bar”.

Nestled next to the Clyde River, west of Batemans Bay, the Steampacket Hotel has struggled to attract a buyer since it was listed for sale in early-September, according to co-owner Joel Alvey, who purchased the pub with wife Melissa and mother Heather five years ago.

Emigrating to the area from the state’s central west, the trio have faced significant challenges since taking over the historic pub, from the devastation of the Black Summer bushfires to Covid lockdowns, which saw the business temporarily turn into a takeaway cafe.

“Its been a great little pub,” Mr Alvey said. “The locals have been amazing. We meet new characters every day.

“But, we suffered too much during Covid. We had to take out loans to make it through. We got into too much debt.”

Steampacket Hotel co-owners Heather Alvey, left, and son Joel. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

The final decision to sell up was made earlier this year when Mr Alvey’s father, who also resides in Nelligen, was diagnosed with bladder cancer.

At the time, Mr Alvey said he was working part-time on the local bridge redevelopment just to make ends meet.

Steampacket Hotel, Nelligen. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

While the family have all found new jobs in the area, Mr Alvey isn’t ready to let go of the pub entirely.

What interest the sale has generated, Mr Alvey said, was largely from out-of-town investors who would tear down and redevelop the pub.

“It would mean the end of the Steampacket Hotel,” Mr Alvey said. “We don’t want that to happen. So, we are calling out for anyone who might be interested in buying the pub as a group.

“Or, for the community of Nelligen and surrounds to all chip in and form a community committee and purchase the hotel.”

Nelligen, about 15 minutes west of Batemans Bay, on the banks of the Clyde River. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

The idea of co-operative ownership isn’t new and has been tried elsewhere in the state to significant success.

In Grong Grong in the state’s Riverina region, locals banded together earlier this year to cooperatively buy the historic Royal Hotel.

Having also suffered during Covid, the pub was at risk of closing permanently.

But, after about 150 locals pitched in $5000 each to purchase the hotel with help from a shareholding group, the doors remained open.

Work on the new Nelligen Bridge is due to wrap up early next year. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

Mr Alvey believes a similar model could work in Nelligen and is reaching out to the community through Facebook.

“One of our friends was in Grong Grong recently and they put the idea to us,” he said.

“The more people that chip in, the cheaper it is. So far, we've had half a dozen people from Nelligen and Batemans Bay say they are interested. I was expecting a bit more, but it all takes time.”

For more than 50 years, the Steampacket Hotel has served as a hub for the local community.

The current hotel is the fourth to bear the “Steampacket” name after two previous pubs burnt down.

Steampacket Hotel staff member Tracey Nucifora has worked at the pub for more than 30 years. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

Built in 1967, its owners aimed to profit off of the then-recently installed Nelligen Bridge, which connected the east and west banks of the Clyde River allowing for easier travel for tourists arriving from Canberra and the state’s southeast.

That bridge is currently being replaced as part of the a multimillion-dollar project by Transport for NSW aimed at again enhancing accessibility to the tourism-rich region, with travellers passing through Nelligen on their way to Batemans Bay and the south coast.

For Nelligen resident and longtime staff member Tracey Nucifora, the Steampacket is an important part of Nelligen.

At 55 years of age, Ms Nucifora has spent most of her life at the Steampacket Hotel with 33 years of work under her belt.

“The Steampacket Hotel has been there forever,” she said.

“I hope it stays and someone can buy it because Nelligen really needs it. A lot of the pubs just aren’t the same as what we have had in Nelligen.It’s an icon.”

When it came to a co-operative buyout, Ms Nucifora wasn’t convinced – yet.

“There are a couple people around that might be able to help out,” she said. “But, we don’t know. Not yet.”

For now, Mr Alvey said he would continue to collect names in the hopes of keeping the pub open. He said his lasting memory of the pub would be its colourful characters.

“We’ve always said we are the bushmates’ beach bar,” he said. “We have lots of bush-y sort of characters out this way. We’re really sad to see the pub go. But, we’ll be here until it there is a buyer.”