Winning beach bid decided
THE historic West Beach Pavilion on Beaconsfield Parade, St Kilda, is poised for an overhaul with a decision on a preferred developer expected this month.
EHT believes Port Phillip Council has made a decision on redevelopment of the building, which has been derelict for years.
The council's shortlist of three tenders included a laid-back community beach hut with café, kite surfing, retail and gallery spaces proposed by Tremaine Partners, and plans for a contemporary restaurant by renowned restaurateur Damian Trytell.
But Mr Trytell, co-owner of the Mecca group of restaurants at Southbank and the Docklands, told EHT this week his group had withdrawn its tender in March.
The third party, David Kew, has been reluctant to discuss his client's plans but said a café or restaurant would be included. EHT now believes the tender was lodged on behalf of the Fairfield Park Boathouse operators.
Paul and Jill van der Sluys renovated the historic Fairfield boathouse in the 1980s to include tearooms, a restaurant, gallery and boat hire.
The final two tenderers have met community groups. West St Kilda residents association president Colin Fryer said his group pushed "pretty hard" to be involved in the pavilion redevelopment.
"Our next point of interest is pushing the council to let the community see the preferred tenderer's plans before it develops too much further," he said.
Mayor Dick Gross refused to comment other than to say that he expected the decision would be finalised by the end of the month.
Councillor Liz Johnstone said: "All I can say is it looks like a really good outcome from a heritage perspective as well as a space that will add value to the community's enjoyment of West Beach."