Blow for alfresco dining plan

Plans for alfresco-style dining with outdoor trading, entertainment and a licensed area for the sale of alcohol on Dampier Terrace, are in doubt following a meeting between Chinatown traders last night.

The Shire of Broome has supported a proposal from the Chinatown Stakeholder and Community Reference Group to close Dampier Terrace for a three week trial period between 10am and 5pm Monday to Friday from August 1-19.

Dampier Terrace pearl trader David Galwey told the meeting attended by about 25 people the idea was to “reinvigorate” Chinatown during time when people were in the shopping precinct.

He said the aim was to keep them in the CBD to stimulate spending and “stop them going back to their hotels and sitting by the poll for the rest of the day”.

A number of traders voiced concerns over a lack of consultation, the street closure, parking, event and the length of the trial, loudness of street music, and the loss of the town bus service along Dampier Terrace during closure times.

One businessman suggested a better time would be during the Shinju Matsuri Festival in September and said other regions like Geraldton were making similar events work.

He questioned why there was a need to proceed on the dates when the town was in the middle of the peak tourist season and there were people visiting Chinatown.

But Mr Galwey said the whole idea was to attract people during the busy period with the hope of them staying in the town and not heading back to their resorts or hotels.

“My gut feeling is there is no consensus and I am not prepared to push (for the plan) if there is that degree of anti,” he told the meeting.

Attendees decided to go with a suggestion from Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice president Andre Veder for the BCCI to consult businesses and report back to traders some time next week.

Shire deputy chief executive Sam Mastrolembo told the meeting councillors had passed a resolution for the trial and said the item may have to return to council for reconsideration.