Reportback on the Liquor Licence Objection Campaign

We wouldlike to thank all those who participated in the Objection Meeting on Wednesday, 21 July 2010. 275 objections were signed and submitted to the liquor board and the lawyers handling the application. We will keep you updated on the progress of this as soon as we know more. If you’re on Facebook, join the group – I love Parkhurst, for more regular updates.

As you saw, when we come together as a community we are a strong force to be reckoned with. This is what has made Parkhurst the neighbourhood it is and why we stay and why we buy here. It’s important for our families and to retain our quality of life as well as our property values, that we maintain this connection as a community.

The meeting you attended was arranged by 8 of your neighbours, who come together as the PVRA committee. These people have been elected to be the eyes and ears of the suburb to protect the quality of life we have in Parkhurst. In order to engage the objection action, there were over 75 emails exchanged, and on average 12 hours work per committee member last week. It’s a job each person volunteers for. They do whatever they can do to retain the spirit and community within our suburb.

You can contribute in a way too that doesn’t require hours of time that you might not have. Printing, administration and communication to the neighbourhood costs and so if you haven’t contributed your annual fee to the PVRA, please take the opportunity to do your bit by signing a debit order. The fee is R240 per year, and this can be arranged by registering at www.parkhurst.org.za

If you want to contribute your time, your help would be welcome. Please contact me with your area of expertise, where you think you could help and I’ll get back to you.
 

Cheryl Labuschagne,PVRA Chairman, 083-637-0394, info@parkhurst.org.za

PS. Below is map with the Parkhurst objectors plotted (the black rectangle in the middle is the site of the old BP Garage). There is also a graph showing objectors by street. Note that the ONLY street with no objectors was 2nd.

Reportback on Meeting to Object to 6 New Liquor Licenses at BP Garage in 4th Ave

164 people (mostly residents) attended the urgent meeting to find out more about the application for 6 new liquor licenses at the old BP Garage premisis in 4th Avenue (opposite the block that contains Nice on 4th and the Parkhurst Bookshop). The developers did not attend, but they had their paid representative, Kim Lugli, in attendance.

Cllr. Sharon Sabbagh spoke to the group about her experiences of what has been happening in Melville and Greenside as well as what could happen in Parkhurst if we get more restaurants. 100s more people from outside Parkhurst will descend on our suburb from 10am to 2am. Parking will be a problem along with noise and other disturbances, especially for residents near the development.

The main point to note is that if you don't get in your objection NOW, then it will be too late when the liquor board meets in a month or so time. It will be a long battle and the developer may well still get the licenses, but we will be able to impose certain restrictions that we can then hold the restaurants to.

The meeting was also addressed by Jo of Espresso Cafe - she and her husband are the only Parkhurst restauranteurs who also live in Parkhurst. She expressed the conflicts she feels being a resident and restauranteer. Of trying to be responsive to residents needs and how difficult it is to stick to the rules and be a "good" business. She came out against so many new restaurants, especially as the owners/managers will probably not be residents and may not really care about Parkhurst and their surrounding residents.