Council vote: Chevron Island to close at midnight with no pokies on luxury canal estate

Councillors have given their verdict on a tavern’s controversial plan to open after midnight on Chevron Island. WHAT DO YOU THINK - VOTE IN OUR POLL

COUNCILLORS have refused an application for a tavern with poker machines to operate after midnight on Chevron Island.

The decision to back a council’s officer’s recommendation of “refusal” was made at Thursday’s planning committee meeting. A final decision will be made full council next Tuesday.

The Chevron Tavern site where there are development changes being considered by council.

Area councillor Darren Taylor, who could not vote at planning because he was not on the committee, attended and supported providing more business opportunities in the luxury canal estate’s retail area.

A development application by Chevron Tavern in Thomas Drive if backed would enable the existing pub to become a full-blown sports bar with TAB operating after midnight

Cr Taylor wants to see the commercial strip on the luxury canal estate improved because it was linked by a green bridge to HOTA where council had built an outdoor stadium and was to open its art gallery.

He told colleagues: “In my view we have got a centre that catering not only for local residents, but tourists and other residents from parts of the city.”

Councillor Darren Taylor — supporting Chevron Island upgrade. Picture Glenn Hampson

Cr Taylor asked officers whether HOTA was considered in assessing the application only to be told officers looked at “gaming machines’ and “hours of operating”.

“The connection between HOTA and Surfers Paradise wasn’t considered in relation to what the application is for,” a council officer said.

Cr Taylor during questioning confirmed hotels with gaming machines were based in other neighbourhood centres.

Council officers said there were no gaming machines in premises on Chevron Island, and the applicant had not put forward a study showing a demand for pokies.

Almost 70 people had signed a petition with their main concern being the “28 gaming machines” and commentary about the 2am extended trading conditions.

Councillor Mark Hammel during the debate said he was aware that Chevron Island needed an “uplift” and there was a desire for improving the commercial strip.

Site of proposed Chevron Tavern, subject to approval by council.

He asked Cr Taylor what was the response from businesses and locals to economic opportunities to improve the retail area.

“It’s a conversation where you get your fors and against. I’ve been given another 70-odd fors,” Cr Taylor said.

“The discussion in relation to where gambling and gaming is, that’s one discussion. But Chevron has struggled for a long period of time as we all know.

“And it’s really important, we have spent a lot of money in the HOTA area. We’ve got the HOTA bridge that goes into Thomas Drive. It’s really important that we encourage business through that area.

The back of the Chevron Tavern, showing the street area.

“I think the dynamics of Chevron Island is changing from what we’ve known it for a long period of time, just an island with its own residential and neighbourhood area.”

Cr Taylor admitted the gaming machines was a “hot topic” but he supported a “diverse range of products for the island”

“I know when people go to HOTA they will go for dinner before or after the event. It gives the opportunity a choice of where they want to go and what sort of activities they would like to do prior or after an event,” he said.

EARLIER

AN affluent suburb in the inner city is divided because a pub wants to extend trading to 2am to reignite business within walking distance to the Home of the Arts (HOTA).

Chevron Tavern in Thomas Drive, Chevron Island wants to become a full-blown sports bar with TAB operating after midnight.

However, council officers say the pub is in a neighbourhood centre zone and should stay the way it is.

Site of proposed Chevron Tavern, subject to approval by council.

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If its application to council is successful, the tavern says it would create a 28-machine gaming room, and relocate the bar and TAB facility to the eastern wall.

But council would need to remove the restrictions for gaming machines within the premises, extend the hours of operation to 10am to 2am given the current approval allows for a 10am to midnight operation.

At least 68 people signed a petition opposing the application.

Area councillor Darren Taylor admits the issue was divisive, with residents and the business community offering opposing views.

“We are really trying to activate Chevron Island as part of the safe night precinct under the state government, from Surfers into Chevron and that then leads into HOTA,” Cr Taylor told the Bulletin.

“We want to be encouraging business where possible, we don’t want nightclubs there, I don’t see that as Chevron, that’s Surfers. It’s about re-enlightening Chevron again and getting it back on the map.”

Cr Taylor admits there will be challenges but he had “an open mind” on new business opportunities.

“We don’t want to be putting the handbrake on opportunities. We want the restaurant vibe, art culture, and if people want to go out at the end of the night there’s always the Surfers night precinct,” he said.

The back of the Chevron Tavern, showing the street area.

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Council officers said the City Plan sought to ensure hotels were not established in neighbourhood centres and commercial premises were closed by 10pm.

“The existing tavern, both by way of the nature of the land use and the current operating hours, represent a noncompliance with the City Plan Strategic framework provisions,” an officer’s report said.

The existing premises had operated as a restaurant and sports bar and the inclusion of a TAB was to replace the existing facility at the corner of Thomas Drive and Adori Street which was set to close, the report said.

Existing layout of the Chevron Tavern.

Planned changes to the design.

“There is no demonstrated need or demand for the proposed 28 gaming machines or operating hours to 2am,” the report said.

The officer cautioned that it was not appropriate to increase operating hours in the suburb given it was so close to Surfers Paradise.

“Despite this area being within walking distance to the Home Of The Arts and the Surfers Paradise Specialist Centre, it is still considered that the village character of Chevron Island is to be protected,” the officer said.

The tavern is located about 1.2km west from the Surfers Paradise foreshore with HOTA about 400m to the south.