The Boathouse at Shelly Beach is preparing to challenge a decision by NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) that refused its bid to serve alcohol without food, reigniting fierce local opposition.
ILGA refused the venue’s application for a Primary Service Authorisation (PSA) last month, finding it could not be satisfied the change would be free of detriment to Manly or the wider Northern Beaches community.
“Approving a PSA for this venue could facilitate a shift away from a restaurant-focused business model and generate increased liquor–related harm as a result,” the statement of reasons outlined.
A PSA would have allowed The Boathouse to serve alcohol to guests without requiring them to also order food, a shift from its current licence conditions which tie alcohol service to dining.
“We just want to be able to serve our guests a cold beer or glass of wine without them having to order a plate of food,” a Boathouse spokesperson told Manly Observer.
“The application for the PSA was driven by the constant demand we have for that offering in the venue.”
They explained their focus remains on operating The Boathouse Shelly Beach as a food-led, family-friendly venue, but that they intend to challenge the decision and are considering the appropriate next steps available to them.
Julie Meldrum and Merrilee Linegar, co-founders of Marine Parade Action Alliance (MPAA) who spoke to us in our earlier coverage (which you can read here), told Manly Observer that their position remains the same.
They explained they continue to hold concerns for anti-social behaviour associated with alcohol-fuelled behaviour, increased by a lack of food, and the negative impact it could have on the sensitive, protected environment.
Why ILGA said no
ILGA said it received 114 public objections against the application, compared with 14 submissions in support.
The National Parks Association of NSW was among the objectors, warning the proposal was inconsistent with the objectives of the Liquor Act and raising concerns about the “sensitive coastal and environmental setting” of Cabbage Tree Bay.
Objectors raised concerns that the change would tip the venue from a family-friendly café/restaurant into a bar-like, late-night operation, bringing more noise, more drinking and more antisocial behaviour, along with parking and access problems around the beach.
However, The Boathouse team claimed most objections were shaped by misinformation being circulated, including false suggestions that they wanted to extend their trading hours or turn Shelly Beach into a late-night bar.
Instead, they said they consulted Northern Beaches Council and NSW Police who held no objections to their application and wrote to local residents explaining the purpose of applying for a PSA.
Northern Beaches Council and NSW Police confirmed they did not object to the application. NSW Police added that should the venue receive the PSA they would request conditions to be granted for public safety and to mitigate alcohol-related risks.
ILGA pointed to statistics showing Manly and the broader Northern Beaches LGA already record higher-than-NSW-average rates of alcohol-related assault, alcohol-attributed hospitalisations and liquor outlet density. Factors it said weighed against approval.
ILGA Chair, Caroline Lamb, acknowledged the venue’s clean five-year compliance record and the absence of objections from Council or Police, but found these factors did not outweigh community concerns. She was not satisfied that approving the application would avoid a detrimental impact on the well-being of the local or broader community.
Boathouse to challenge the decision
A spokesperson for The Boathouse confirmed the venue intends to challenge the ruling, though the exact pathway is still being worked through.
They explained they were disappointed with the outcome, especially given the NSW Government’s broader push on vibrancy reforms and its work to support a strong and diverse hospitality industry.
They also hoped the PSA would have made The Boathouse at Shelly Beach even more attractive to local and tourist customers and would support local jobs and tourism. They reconfirmed that community focus was at the centre of how they operate, and said that wouldn’t change.
Manly Business Chamber has thrown their support behind The Boathouse advocating for ILGA to reconsider the PSA application.
“The Boathouse Group is a highly respected and reputable hospitality business, with a strong industry reputation and proven track record of operating quality venues,” Steve Carrodus, President of Manly Business Chamber wrote in a statement.
“Importantly, we are not aware of any history of antisocial behaviour or incidents associated with the venue that would suggest a PSA licence would result in increased amenity or community concerns.
“We are confident that granting an appropriate PSA licence would not transform the venue into a high-volume alcohol destination, but would instead support the continued operation of a wellmanaged, reputable hospitality venue that is already valued by the community.”
Residents remain opposed
The prospect of an appeal has done little to ease concern among residents who campaigned against the original application.
Manly Ward Councillor Candy Bingham said the PSA was not appropriate for the area, pointing to broader pressures already facing the Manly community with the Special Entertainment Precinct.
“The PSA application is not justified for [Shelly Beach], it’s just not appropriate for that area,” she told Manly Observer.
Ms Linegar, one of the co-founders of MPAA, questioned how the venue’s capacity would be managed under a PSA.
“If you take away food from a restaurant, you take away the chairs diners sit on — so how many people can you actually fit in the venue?” she said.
The Boathouse countered this, saying they hold 60 – 80 weddings a year at the Boathouse Shelly Beach venue, where guests drink and leave past sunset, with no complaints received in relation to noise or light disturbance.
Locals give Shelly Beach Boathouse booze bid a sobering response
