AN upper-level CBD function room capable of hosting 110 patrons was approved at Wednesday night’s Ballarat City Council meeting.
It will be built above the Europa Cafe and Darriwell Farm in Sturt Street’s 400 block and will include a balcony area restricted to 20 people at a time.
Owned by John Valpied, it will only open for booked events between 7am and 1am apart from Sundays, when it will be restricted to between 10am and 11pm.
Eleven objections were received, including from nearby residents Fiona Watson and Joe Agostino.
Gee Cee’s owner Simon Coghlan also objected, saying it would deter people from living in the CBD.
“One of the hallmarks of the great cities of the world is a liveable centre,” Mr Coghlan said.
“This would do untold damage to making the CBD liveable.
“A conference room between two dwellings will cause conflict.”
Ms Watson said she and her husband Brian Anstey had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars converting a former shop in the same block into a home.
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“I’m opposed to a function centre opposite my bedroom.”
When asked if she had any objection to living near Gee Cee’s, Ms Watson said they had at least known it was there when they bought their home.
Mr Agostino said a “tranquil part of our living will be taken from us seven days a week.”
“The existing residents will lose their quality of life,” he said.
But Councillor Craig Fletcher said the function room was “entirely consistent” with the council’s position on the CBD.
“It relates to where people choose to live and the expectations of where they choose to live,” Cr Fletcher said.
“The way things have been in the past will need to adapt and grow as we, as a city, adapt and grow.”
Councillor Samantha McIntosh said the CBD was an existing business zone.
“But we are encouraging people to come and live in and enjoy the centre of our city,” Cr McIntosh said.
Councillor Judy Verlin said the owners were going to be answerable for any problems.
“They live here, they work here, they walk up and down the street,” Cr Verlin said.
“They are local people doing what they think is right for a business part of the city.
“These are challenges faced by progressive cities all over the world.”
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