New restaurant a step closer to fruition

Developer executes his Right of Review to have entire building demolished

A first-class restaurant facility, The Drunken Ram, has been approved for Lachlan Street, and demolition of the adjacent former ANZ Bank building will enable the developer to increase the footprint.

Hay Shire Council last month approved the part-demolition of the 93-year-old building, with conditions.

However, the developer, Roger McGrath said Council approval came after Land and Environment Court action for "Deemed Refusal" had been initiated by him.

Mr McGrath has now discontinued the court action as a result of the current approval and has executed his Right of Review under section 8.2 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act (1979), of Council's approval with proposed modifications to have the entire building demolished.

The initial Development Application was for the front brick wall and entrance gate to remain intact to form a front fence to the site.

“This would avoid Council's condition for a ‘Structural Engineer’ to design a bracing system to protect the 4'1" to 5'6" wall that was originally proposed to be retained,” Mr McGrath told The Grazier.

He said he considered the condition to be excessive for the wall which had already been standing for close on 100 years and was only to be retained at such a low height anyway.

The former bank site will form an intricate part of The Drunken Ram because of its location.

Mr McGrath said approval to turn the former Warren Fayle Motors into a restaurant did not come cheaply, and would cost a lot more to bring to fruition.

“This will pump money into the local economy during construction and hopefully finally give the tourists that pass through Hay each year somewhere special to eat and remember.

“The improved property will enhance the town and improve property values, not detract from them,” he said in response to an objection to the demolition.

Mr McGrath said all demolition at 104 Lachlan Street would be undertaken to salvage as much of the existing structure as possible for re-use.

Minimal heavy equipment would therefore be used with the majority of the demolition work done by hand and from inside the building to minimize creating dust and disruption to the street.

“All bricks and timber from the site will be salvaged on-site and stored at other appropriate locations.”