Developer seeking more time to finish north Warrnambool tavern

Developer Julie Dwyer said the coronavirus pandemic had delayed the project.

She said products had been more difficult to source and staff harder to find.

"It's been a challenging time and we've been focusing on the bottle shop," Mrs Dwyer said.

Mrs Dwyer said the council had received a request for an extension of the planning permit.

At August's Warrnambool City Council meeting Jim Burke asked for an update on the progress of the tavern.

"On June 1 last year council considered a planning permit application amendment for 43-45 Hayley Drive," he said.

"The original permit had been issued in 2006, they received a two-year extension in 2008 and another in 2010, then in 2012 and another in 2014, a one-year extension in 2016 and a further two two-year extensions in 2017 and 2019."

Mr Burke asked whether an application to extend the permit had been received and whether steps had been made to resolve the matter in a timely manner.

Warrnambool City Council chief executive officer Peter Schneider said the permit was current. "If an application is received to extend those time frames, council must assess it on the merits of that application," he said.

In June last year a number of councillors expressed concern about the project, which had been on the drawing board for more than a decade.

Former councillor Kylie Gaston said it was time to "stop moving goalposts" and get the project finished.

"I think the residents have had a construction site in their street for far longer than would be usual," she said.

"It must be finished by August 2021. I'm sure many people in the neighbourhood would enjoy having a restaurant there but they'd like to sit down for dinner sooner than later."

Former councillor Robert Anderson said construction had gone on too long and residents in the area were keen to see the project completed.

Peter Sycopoulis, who was also a councillor at the time, said if it was him or anyone else in the room "we'd be getting the hurry along quick smart".

Tony Herbert, who was mayor at the time, said it was hard when business and residential areas were so close together.

He said the restaurant would be a great addition to the area when it was completed and was hopeful about it being finished within the timeframes.