Mayor makes a deal

Roger Dickson

Saturday, July 19, 2008

THE walls at the Villa Romana restaurant will come tumbling down - only to be replaced by a fence and plastic panels.

A compromise plan put to the Cairns Regional Council described by Mayor Val Schier as a "win-win situation" will allow the restaurant to retain nearly all of its dining area that encroaches on the public footpath.

Disabled accesses will be incorporated, a pool-fence style barrier put between existing columns where the walls currently sit and a clear plastic curtain put in place for weather protection.

Cr Schier said council officers this week had a "harmonious" meeting with representatives of owner George Papagelou.

"It was really on about problem solving and acknowledgement that the wrong thing had been done by the public and that it needed to be rectified," she said.

"There was a clear indication that Villa Romana wanted to work with council."

When asked if it was a compromise, Cr Schier said there was "no way" that the council wanted to damage a business.

"It was a unanimous decision of council that the public needed to be able to access that area and they will be able to," she said.

"I think it is a win-win situation."

The encroachment onto the footpath became an election issue when Cr Schier campaigned in front of the building with supporters who carried demolition tools, and last week Cr Schier said getting council to support her in demanding the walls come down had been a highlight in her first 100 days.

Yesterday, Mr Papagelou said should the plans be accepted at Wednesday's council meeting, he would lose a small amount of dining area.

"I am happy with the outcome," he said.

"(But) council will decide, it is in their hands."

Council officers have advised that the proposal is "acceptable".

<strong>Plastic solution:</strong> A plan involving pool-fence style barrier and plastic curtains will see Villa Romana retain most of its outdoor dining area that encroaches on the footpath. Mayor Val Schier has welcomed the compromise.

Plastic solution: A plan involving pool-fence style barrier and plastic curtains will see Villa Romana retain most of its outdoor dining area that encroaches on the footpath. Mayor Val Schier has welcomed the compromise.

<strong>Campaign stunt:</strong> Val Schier's supporters with demolition tools outside Villa Romana during the local government election campaign. Before the poll, Ms Schier called for the restaurant's walls to be demolished.

Campaign stunt: Val Schier's supporters with demolition tools outside Villa Romana during the local government election campaign. Before the poll, Ms Schier called for the restaurant's walls to be demolished.

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