The City of Mandurah council has approved a lease for a brewery to be developed on the site of the King Carnival on the city’s western foreshore.
The City of Mandurah council has approved a lease for a brewery to be developed on the site of the King Carnival on the city’s western foreshore.
The 8,000 square metre development by Left Coast Leisure will feature a 650-seat licensed restaurant and microbrewery, an 18-hole minigolf course and cafe, and a chocolate production and retail facility.
A family-owned Busselton-based business, Left Coast is best known as the name behind Shelter Brewing Co. The company is also building a chocolate factory at Busselton.
The developer hopes the site will be activated seven days a week, while preserving and maintaining the existing natural environment.
According to council documents, Left Coast will invest $23 million in the project, which will be developed on land currently occupied by King Carnival, which has leased the area from the city since 1999 and opens on weekends and public holidays.
King Carnival was among seven businesses to submit a first-stage expression of interest to carry out the development in 2021, as was Nokturnl, the business behind Fremantle venue The Old Synagogue, and The Beaufort and the Yagan Square redevelopment.
Neither made it through to the second round of EOIs, leaving Left Coast, David Heaton’s Capitol Corp (now NightOwl Entertainment) and Belgravia Leisure.
Left Coast was ultimately the successful proponent in November 2022, and its plan was endorsed by council this week.
It forms part of a wider foreshore revitalisation project by the city, the Western Foreshore Leisure Precinct Master Plan, which will involve upgrades to jetties and green spaces.
It will also feature an open-air market, pickleball courts, an amphitheatre under the bridge and an inflatable water park.
During the meeting, Mayor Rhys Williams dubbed the plan “visionary”.
"Last night's decision by council marks a crucial step forward in this transformative project and ultimately, once completed, this will represent the largest private investment in Mandurah's city centre in decades, coupled with enhanced public amenities that the whole community can enjoy," Mr Williams said.
"This project is part of the council's strategic vision for revitalising our city centre, which is essential for reshaping our local economy and enhancing attractions for residents and visitors.
"Importantly, this project is expected to create over 400 hospitality jobs and provide training pathways in partnership with TAFE."
The move had been somewhat controversial among locals, with over 1,100 public submissions received during the public consultation period.
At the forefront of concerns was the historic value of the King Carnival.
A submission by Port of Mandurah Ratepayers Association president Jim Booker said more than 80 per cent of its 800 member households objected to the development.
The association’s objections centred on the anti-social possibilities that could arise from the brewery.
Limitations will apply to the microbrewery, including a restriction on opening hours to between 10am and 10pm
The plan was passed by nine votes to four.
