Rappville Pub owners fight to stay open
The heritage listed Rappville Pub near Casino could be forced to close down under the weight of council regulations.
The problem came 16 months after Peter and Jayne Fitzpatrick bought the pub.
The Fitzpatricks tried repairing a rotting front balcony on the 105-year-old hotel that the previous owner had inappropriately constructed over land managed by Richmond Valley Council.
That set off an inspection by council officers who identified an “air-space” discrepancy and an illegal extension of the building.
As a result, the council officers did further inspections and found that the pub’s food service facilities and upper level accommodation did not meet the right requirements.
According to the council, the kitchen did not comply with health and safety regulations.
The council claimed the owners had “significantly intensified operations in the accommodation, increasing load on the waste water system.” As a result, the system could not handle the peak requirements in what is a low-lying and flood prone area.
The council has also claimed that the kitchen had previously “only served snack-type meals” like sausage rolls and pies. The upstairs area, it said, was only used as lodgings for the operators.
Not true, said the Fitzpatricks.
They claim they had bought the pub knowing the kitchen needed some work. They had already done some of that.
And they insist they have not actually changed the pub’s operations: the letting of rooms upstairs had been taking place for years.
Doing the required works will cost plenty so the Fizpatricks have started a GoFundMe campaign to raise the $60,000 required to meet the Notice requirements and avoid penalties.
The couple plan to close the pub this Sunday if they can’t raise the money.
But there is hope.
The council has just relinquished control of the disputed land under the veranda. This means the Fitzpatricks can buy the land from the Crown. They will also have access to heritage grant funding that, according to the council, will “apply retrospectively” to work already done.
In any case, there is time. The council stipulations only apply from August 9.
by Leon Gettler, July 21st 2016
