Shelter Brewing Co operators planning microbrewery restaurant, mini-golf and chocolate factory in Mandurah

Mandurah’s western foreshore could soon become a major tourist drawcard — boasting a microbrewery and restaurant, mini-golf and chocolate factory — under long-awaited plans released by the council. The redevelopment will include a $23 million investment by the City of Mandurah’s preferred proponent for the site — Left Coast Leisure Group, which operates Shelter Brewing Co in Busselton — and comprises a restaurant with a micro-brewery, 18-hole mini-golf course, cafe and chocolate factory. Mandurah council will consider releasing the draft Western Foreshore Leisure Precinct Plan, which includes the commercial site proposal, and commercial site business plan for public advertising at Tuesday’s council meeting. If ultimately successful, Left Coast Leisure Group will be awarded a lease with an initial term of 25 years — a significant increase on the short-term leases that have been given to current tenant King Carnival, which recently had its lease extended to April 2025 following strong community support. The group’s lease will cover a 8000sqm area, which will house the microbrewery and restaurant across 2500sqm while the mini golf will span 4700sqm. Mayor Rhys Williams likened the proposal to developments seen on the South Perth and Fremantle foreshores as well as Busselton, where Left Coast Leisure Group operates Shelter Brewing Co. “Public feedback told us that the western foreshore’s commercial areas needed investment, and this led us to an expression of interest process to secure the right long-term fit for this iconic waterfront site,” he said. “We received seven proposals, all of which featured a food and beverage offering. In this market, the food and beverage components are an important drawcard in creating the foot traffic for the other commercial elements to work.” He said the proposal was chosen because it “best fit the (city’s) criteria” of being a family friendly offering and fitting within the designated area, and was seen as “best in line with a good outcome for the site”. “The goal for us is to make sure that the western foreshore is a careful fusion of both the public realm and also maximising the commercial development,” Mr Williams said. “We hope that this proposal achieves that, and the goal now is to get the community’s feedback and then ultimately determine where we go to next.” If endorsed by the council next week, the plan will go to an extended eight-week public consultation process allowing the community to give feedback on the plans. Mr Williams said the timeframe had been extended to allow for more public submissions, with the city to undertake “targeted engagements” where staff will actively speak to community members about their thoughts as well as providing the option to submit online or written submissions. “We know that there’s been a lot of discussion in the community about this site, and it’s an important site to Mandurah, and so extending a couple more weeks just ensures that as many people have the opportunity to have their say as possible,” he said. “We are really looking for people to provide their feedback — what they like about the proposal, not just the commercial elements, but the public realm as well. What they are concerned about and what they’d like to see addressed in the final outcome. “And then at the end of the eight weeks, council will make a decision and will continue with the process of awarding the lease.” Mr Williams said he hoped Left Coast Leisure Group would operate their proposed Mandurah development with the same community-minded attitude he said they have in Busselton. “One of the things that I like about the operation that Left Coast Leisure Group run in Busselton, the Shelter Brewery, is their deep links to the community there,” he said. “We’ve had a clear expectation for Shelter — and I’m sure they will — that working in Mandurah, they’ll extend that same approach into the community and working with important groups. “Obviously, this entire western foreshore incorporates the war memorial and we’ve already had some preliminary conversations with Left Coast Leisure Group about working with the RSL clubs and ensuring that they’re comfortable with conditions around the commercial site. “So we’re feeling comfortable already in the way that they’re approaching things.” The construction of the proposed development is likely to create 174 jobs during construction and 437 jobs while operating, and attract 750,000 visitors annually. The concept plan for the wider western foreshore also proposes additional parking in the area, new public jetties, an all-abilities paddle launch site, an amphitheatre space under the bridge, and works to enhance Mandurah War Memorial. A report on the outcomes of the community engagement and a final master plan is expected to be presented to the council at the August meeting.