A glass of wine with dinner could now be on the menu for frequenters of the Pop Rocket Cafe.
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On Tuesday night, Katherine Town Council debated and later voted on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the council and Blast Coffee Group.
Blast Coffee Group, known to locals as the Pop Rocket Cafe, operate a single container shop near the Katherine Hot Springs carpark.
The business began at the start of the 2016 and operate throughout the dry season. They hope to expand to a second container, operate as a dinner venue and serve alcohol with dinner.
The fee for this type of structure will be set at $4000 per container unit for the next year. Blast will be required to pay on a monthly, pro rata basis.
Alderman Toni Tapp-Coutts was a big supporter of the proposal.
“You can’t stymie growth and new business for a couple of complaints,” she said.
Alderman Steven Rose said the rates should be fully enforced, rather than on a pro rata basis, and felt the proposal was not fair on other businesses.
Mayor Miller said the Pop Rocket Cafe was innovative, successful and very well supported.
She said the decision to serve meals at night was great for local and tourist patrons alike.
“I want to support people that are prepared to invest their money, time and innovative ideas in Katherine,” she said.
Service of alcohol also debated
Mayor Miller was not concerned about potential drinking at the hot springs and said patrons would not be able to take liquor away from the designated drinking area.
Alderman Elisabeth Clark clarified for the other members that the hours of serving would be from 6-9pm and no alcohol would be stored on the premises.
According to the MoU, “alcohol may be sold and consumed on or in the immediate vicinity of the premises only in accordance with the council’s consent and at all times in accordance with the NT Liquor Act.”
The council voted in favour of the decision to sell alcohol, however they did not comment when Big Ass Grill’s application for a liquor licence was rejected by the Director-General of Licensing in mid-December 2016.
Acting director of Public Works and Services David Moore said there would be a further process to determine the alcohol restrictions. Blast Coffee Group will need to provide council with their NT Liquor Licence.
Both aspects of the MoU were hotly debated by the aldermen and it came down to a casting vote by the mayor. The proposal was voted in 3-2, with Alderman Rose and Deputy Mayor Peter Gazey voting against.
The decision to change the council’s logo also came down to a casting vote and Mayor Miller said she only recalled this happening on one other occasion in the past five years.