Rooftop bar causes major stir in Palm Cove
After receiving approval to open his new rooftop bar on the Palm Cove waterfront, Sarayi Boutique Hotel owner Mark Biancotti was shocked to discover the Cairns Regional Council had backflipped on the decision, writing to the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation in a bid to have Sarayi Boutique Hotel’s liquor licence rejected.
Several local business owners and residents had also lodged objections.
The application has since been approved with the rooftop bar provisionally licensed to operate until 10pm every night and the downstairs tavern until midnight,
However, Reef House co-owner Malcolm Bean is putting forward one final challenge in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
“If it goes ahead, we will have to close the hotel,” Bean said of his objection. “It will destroy our business very swiftly.
“We’ve already had problems previous times when there have been functions on the rooftop next door, with customers checking out or having to move to the other side of the hotel.
“Everybody in Palm Cove is in bed or back on their balcony by 9pm. It’s not just the immediate demise of us, it’s the further demise of the whole village feel and its way of operating.”
Biancotti has been operating for three years longer than Mr Bean, and noted that rooftop functions had been running for 10 years and that Reef House’s business had gone from strength to strength.
He received council approval and an independent acoustics report shows he is compliant with all regulations.
Biancotti, said the biggest change was that he was now allowed to serve alcohol without food.
“I’ve been closed for 19 months waiting for this approval – it hasn’t just been a tick and flick,” he said.
“Now I’ve just got to fit the place out. It’s the same as what the surf club’s got and what Palm Cove Tavern has.
“I’m not doing anything underhanded or anything outside the law. I’m only doing something council and liquor licensing have said I can do.”
Both parties agreed Cairns Regional Council had added to the confusion by trying to block the already approved liquor licence.
Opponents have until February 4 to lodge their appeals.
Irit Jackson, 25th January 2021
