MOYNE Shire will wait until after the Port Fairy Folk Festival before it demolishes the wharf building at King George Square.
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The shire is finalising planning approval for the $2.4 million development, which will see a new building built on the site by the end of 2016.
A floor plan for the drawcard project was signed off by Moyne Shire councillors at their December meeting.
Moyne Shire chief executive David Madden said it is hoped that fitting out the building would make it more attractive and affordable for a prospective tenant.
Four floor plans for the single-storey building were submitted to the Port of Port Fairy Board, which selected one of the plans for council approval. The approved plan features a fish and chip shop at the building’s northern end and a restaurant to the south, with a combined total of 230 seats, 56 of which will be on outside deckings to help maximise the location.
The project is being funded by the federal government ($1.4 million) and the port board ($1 million).
In endorsing the floor plan approved by the port board, councillor Mick Wolfe said the project was “getting very close to fruition”.
“The port board is very mindful that the wharf area is a main attraction for the town and this building can make or break that precinct,” Cr Wolfe said.
“It will be a great building and very practical.”
He said the planned building had been “raised 20 centimetres” to allow for some sea level rise in the future.
Moyne Shire Council chief executive David Madden said that fitting out the building did not mean the internal layout was set in stone.
“A future tenant has the right to talk to the landlord and alter the layout,” he said.
Mayor Colin Ryan said once planning approvals were finalised, the tendering process would begin, with the new building expected to be “open for Christmas”.
“We plan to knock down the current building immediately after the folk festival,” Cr Ryan said.
He praised the current tenant, who is using the building rent-free due to its imminent demolition.
“He’s made a real go of it, which shows what a great location it is. This new building will really be a highlight of Port Fairy.”
