A REQUEST from the Court Hotel to close James Street between Beaufort and Stirling streets has been approved by council.
The hotel owners wish to close the street between 6:00pm on 31 December and 5:00am on 1 January 2000 to run an extended trading area within the road reserve on New Year’s Eve.
Council staff had recommended the request
be refused because it would set a precedent for closing other streets fronting hotels or nightclubs for similar reasons.
A staff note to council said while alfresco dining was consistent with council’s objectives for Northbridge, the extension of licensed trading areas into the road reserve and footpaths needed to be carefully considered.
Councillor Judy McEvoy moved the road closure be allowed because council was “seen as party poopers and we don’t want to keep up that image”.
Mrs McEvoy said the Court’s New Year’s Eve show would be a closed function.
“They’ve put in a very good submission to self-police the function,” she said.
Councillor Laurance Goodman said it would not be up to council whether the Court’s application for an extended liquor licence would be granted.
“I don’t see this as being any different to the street parties that will be held around Perth on New Year’s Eve,” Mr Goodman said.
“People are going to be out enjoying themselves in controlled circumstances.”
