HONEYSUCKLE residents have opposed a plan to expand Lynch's Hub cafe, saying extended trading hours and liquor service will result in "unacceptable impacts" and are not in keeping with the original development approval.
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Lynch's Hub, a business established in the old Lynch's Prawn Shop building on Wharf Road in 2017, wants to diversify by installing a commercial kitchen, extending its trading hours to allow for dinner service, adding additional seating and turning a bike shop space into an organics retail store.
It lodged a modification application earlier this year with the plans attracting 32 submissions, mostly from neighbours concerned about the noise, odour and parking impacts, along with potential anti-social behaviour.
At a public voice meeting on Tuesday night, Honeysuckle Residents Association spokesman Alistair Christie, who spoke on behalf of the objectors, said the proposal had "unacceptable impacts" for neighbours of the council-owned site.
He outlined multiple conditions of the business's original approval, which he said were meant to ensure it "remained a small venue with minimal impact".
Lynch's Hub wants to extend its operating hours from 6pm to 9pm Sunday to Thursday, and from 7pm to 10pm Friday and Saturday.
Watch the full public voice meeting below
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Mr Christie said this would cause noise and odours impacting nearby residences, on-street parking spaces would become more scarce, and liquor service could lead to further noise and anti-social behaviour.
He added the venue was likely to attract intoxicated people moving between pubs and clubs given it would sell takeaway food.
Lynch's Hub owner Blake Forrester said the modification was "in keeping" with the development's "initial intent" and the business wanted to "optimise" its offerings in line with "changes and progress being delivered in the city".
"Our city continues to change for the better and we seek to adapt to it," he said.
"Our proposal for these minor changes are ... very much in keeping with the operational scope of neighbouring businesses and the public utilisation of neighbouring thoroughfares and community lands."
Planner Wes Wilson described the changes to trading hours as "modest".
He argued that there would be a "net overall improvement" in the area's amenity as more people being in the area at night would create a safer environment and pedicabs which once transported people around the city would no longer be returning to the site in the early hours of the morning.
The modification application will likely be determined next month.
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