Bunbury beachside restaurant needs repairs

Bunbury City Council could spend at least $62,000 to repair the former NooVoh Back Beach Restaurant so it can meet an adequate standard and be leased.

The council will next week decide if it allocates $70,000 to repair the restaurant and then recoup the cost from the next tenant over five years.

The Ocean Drive restaurant was handed back to the council in June by former tenant Maggie Newton.

An inspection of the building has found that the council needs to spend about $62,000 to comply with its own health laws and to make sure the structure was safe.

During Tuesday night's briefing session, chief executive officer Andrew Brien said the council "would not lease a building that was structurally unfit".

He was also quizzed by Cr Betty McCleary if $70,000 would be enough to repair the building.

Mr Brien said the money would not result in "significant works".

"It is about getting it on the market," he said.

While the reports of the inspections, which include a breakdown of the repairs, are confidential to the public, Mayor Gary Brennan has told the _South Western Times _the repairs were minor.

"Minor structural work and general maintenance is required to ensure it is compliant with current health and building codes," he said.

Mr Brennan said there was "no avenue" to recoup the costs from Ms Newton because the lease had been surrendered.

A panel of three councillors - Wendy Giles, Karen Steele and Jaysen De San Miguel - will consider a list of companies that want to lease the restaurant.

The official advertisement for the restaurant has been delayed by the inspection but the release of the expression of interest document and the repair costs could be approved at Tuesday's meeting.

Mr Brennan said the panel could consider the expressions of interest within a month of the council decision.

"There have been a number of inquiries and the city is confident that it will be leased to a highly competent operator," he said.