7 November 2016

We need another pub/kiosk at the Cotter Reserve

| Patrick
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cotter-pub-stock

Let me cut straight to the chase. WE NEED ANOTHER PUB AT THE COTTER!!!!

The ACT government has spent way more money on art pieces positioned on median strips when it could have invested in tendering for a contractor to run a pub and kiosk out at the Cotter. The Cotter offers a nice getaway for families, drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists … an opportunity to experience the countryside so close to Canberra.

When the Cotter pub and kiosk were running there were heaps of people heading out to the Cotter on weekends. Not everyone wants to spend their weekends in Civic shopping.

So … I ask for your feedback. What are your thoughts on the ACT government putting out a tender for a contractor to build a new pub and kiosk … as well as tendering for a publican and a kiosk operator to man these establishments on weekends? It sounds like a no brainer to me and would be money well worth spending on our local tourism industry.

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Lynn Richardson5:47 pm 21 Nov 17

The pub was actually very friendly.
Let’s get real!! Coffee venue! Really!!
A pub with meals & a kiosk would be perfect……just like it was.
I am not going to go to the Cotter for a soy milk latte!!

A Nonny Mouse said :

By all means make the case for facilities at The Cotter but the gratuitous swipe at public art was unnecessary.

What you mean the big owl is not gratuitous and an unsightly distraction.???
Could have been worse I suppose and could have been a big statue of Al Grasby, like scamhope wanted….

madelini said :

I don’t really understand all of the opposition to issuing an alcohol license at the Cotter. I don’t believe in punishing the majority because a minority have problems with consumption. Also, the hipster bashing is getting boring. If you hate it, feel free to avoid the trendier places and leave the tables for people who actually want to be there.

A cafe/dinner venue – even a pizza joint – would be great at the Cotter. A glass of wine overlooking the river in summer, a hot chocolate by the fireplace in winter. So many people go to the Cotter anyway for picnics, why not add to the appeal? God knows, it’s nigh on impossible to get a good coffee out that way. The stuff that’s served at the space station is abysmal.

Re alcohol, if a licensee serves “too much” to a customer and that customer tries to drive home, causing an accident, the licensee can be deemed responsible, especially in a remote place like Cotter.

Re “hipster bashing”, we older people have just as much right to state our food preferences as any other group.

I don’t really understand all of the opposition to issuing an alcohol license at the Cotter. I don’t believe in punishing the majority because a minority have problems with consumption. Also, the hipster bashing is getting boring. If you hate it, feel free to avoid the trendier places and leave the tables for people who actually want to be there.

A cafe/dinner venue – even a pizza joint – would be great at the Cotter. A glass of wine overlooking the river in summer, a hot chocolate by the fireplace in winter. So many people go to the Cotter anyway for picnics, why not add to the appeal? God knows, it’s nigh on impossible to get a good coffee out that way. The stuff that’s served at the space station is abysmal.

A Nonny Mouse6:07 pm 17 Nov 16

By all means make the case for facilities at The Cotter but the gratuitous swipe at public art was unnecessary.

creative_canberran said :

TuggLife said :

I don’t want the pub rebuilt – there are enough accidents and fatalities on that road without adding more alcohol to the mix.

The replacement needn’t serve alcohol, but if it did, at least the drinking would be under responsible service conditions. At the moment, and as evidenced by all the broken grog bottles you see in bush areas around Cotter, Tharwa and in between, people take a case out and drink it anyway.

I don’t think there’s a business case for a new venue at the Cotter. It is above all a picnic area. And the Stromlo cafe with the views is on the road there anyway. The only freelance expression of interest I’ve heard of so far called for developing a bistro as part of a tourist development to make it work financially.

To have any chance of success it would have to be named “Braddon on Cotter”.

creative_canberran3:29 pm 14 Nov 16

TuggLife said :

I don’t want the pub rebuilt – there are enough accidents and fatalities on that road without adding more alcohol to the mix.

The replacement needn’t serve alcohol, but if it did, at least the drinking would be under responsible service conditions. At the moment, and as evidenced by all the broken grog bottles you see in bush areas around Cotter, Tharwa and in between, people take a case out and drink it anyway.

I don’t think there’s a business case for a new venue at the Cotter. It is above all a picnic area. And the Stromlo cafe with the views is on the road there anyway. The only freelance expression of interest I’ve heard of so far called for developing a bistro as part of a tourist development to make it work financially.

Citizen Phil11:41 am 14 Nov 16

Modern Canberra would dictate $35 for a schooner of some never heard of craft beer and $45 for a meat pie made mainly of pastry if something were to open at the Cotter now, the sort of pub that used to exist out there isn’t possible in today’s Canberra where the food and alcohol industry seem to be a license to print money.

Lurker2913 said :

dungfungus said :

Conditions of the tender should include no VB or Bundy and Hahn Light on tap.

No kebabs or pulled pork but plenty of bacon and egg rolls and locally made meat pies.

Choice of instant coffee instead of that barista-brewed stuff.

Special seniors menu of sausages and three veg.

ACTION busses on tap until the trams are extended there.

It isn’t the 1970’s anymore!

Fair point.

So, what is the modern day bill of fare for the hipsters and millennials?

rommeldog56 said :

Keijidosha said :

The govt should construct a nice wide riding trail from Stromlo to the Cotter.

They already have. Its called the Cotter Road.

Gold!

Keijidosha said :

The govt should construct a nice wide riding trail from Stromlo to the Cotter.

They already have. Its called the Cotter Road.

The govt should construct a nice wide riding trail from Stromlo to the Cotter. Then lease a spot for a nice cafe to be built at the end. Give people a destination for a Sunday trek.

Or at least shift the shipping container complex from LBG down there. Patronage couldn’t be worse after the move!

pink little birdie6:51 pm 13 Nov 16

While it would be nice for the ice creams I thought there had issues for people to run it which is why oit hasn’t returned

The Cotter pub had an obnoxious Appalachian “bikie” vibe. Family-friendly cafe venue, please!

dungfungus said :

Conditions of the tender should include no VB or Bundy and Hahn Light on tap.

No kebabs or pulled pork but plenty of bacon and egg rolls and locally made meat pies.

Choice of instant coffee instead of that barista-brewed stuff.

Special seniors menu of sausages and three veg.

ACTION busses on tap until the trams are extended there.

It isn’t the 1970’s anymore!

dungfungus said :

Weaselburger said :

Selling alcohol or not doesn’t really matter because if people are going to go there to drink or get drunk they will just continue to bring the booze there with them like they do now.

It would be good however to have a kiosk and restaurant catering to everyone with both pies and ice creams for the family and a nice café or bistro t sit down for a nice lunch or dinner.

If the question is whether or not the government should pay I think if they don’t want to spend the funds then at least let private businesses have a chance to bid for a tender because it would indeed be a boost to tourist numbers to our beautiful cotter just like the café is to the arboretum.

That’s the cafe/souvenier shop at the arboretum that closes at 4.00pm yet paid parking there runs to 5.00pm?

It’s disappointing how may cafes do close at 4pm, or worse, earlier, when traditionally afternoon tea is about 4pm. Oh, well, after failing to find an open cafe, at last McDonalds is still open…if one is about.

Weaselburger said :

Selling alcohol or not doesn’t really matter because if people are going to go there to drink or get drunk they will just continue to bring the booze there with them like they do now.

It would be good however to have a kiosk and restaurant catering to everyone with both pies and ice creams for the family and a nice café or bistro t sit down for a nice lunch or dinner.

If the question is whether or not the government should pay I think if they don’t want to spend the funds then at least let private businesses have a chance to bid for a tender because it would indeed be a boost to tourist numbers to our beautiful cotter just like the café is to the arboretum.

That’s the cafe/souvenier shop at the arboretum that closes at 4.00pm yet paid parking there runs to 5.00pm?

CanberraChristina8:40 pm 12 Nov 16

Yes please! The Cotter already has such wonderful facilities and now a real tourist attraction with the dam and the discovery trail. All it is missing is a nice place to sit down and enjoy a meal. Cafe/bistro/bar/function centre would all be good news in my books. Being able to sell alcohol would increase viability/profitability and make it a function centre. Add in an action bus every, say, 3 hours on weekends and make it accessible to all Canberrans.

I understand the concern about alcohol and accidents, but if you didn’t start serving alcohol until late afternoon and it was a family friendly environment, I’m sure it would not be an issue. I like to take my motorbike around the Cotter, but I’d never do it with a few drinks under my belt and I’d never do it at night. Stopping with some mates at the pub at the end of a ride, having a few light beers over a couple of hours and then puttering home before the sun sets and the skippies start moving would be great.

Weaselburger5:56 pm 12 Nov 16

Selling alcohol or not doesn’t really matter because if people are going to go there to drink or get drunk they will just continue to bring the booze there with them like they do now.

It would be good however to have a kiosk and restaurant catering to everyone with both pies and ice creams for the family and a nice café or bistro t sit down for a nice lunch or dinner.

If the question is whether or not the government should pay I think if they don’t want to spend the funds then at least let private businesses have a chance to bid for a tender because it would indeed be a boost to tourist numbers to our beautiful cotter just like the café is to the arboretum.

rommeldog56 said :

At least a kiosk with eats/drinks there in summer would be great

I doubt that in this Canberra Nanny State they would licence the selling of grog there.

Besides, the cost of the ACT Govt’s licence fees would probably preclude that.

All food there should be Halal of course……..LOL…….

Halal bacon & egg rolls?
No thanks!

Maya123 said :

TuggLife said :

I don’t want the pub rebuilt – there are enough accidents and fatalities on that road without adding more alcohol to the mix.

Although the former pub is much missed by many, I think we can do better than a government tender process for rebuilding. There are plenty of other spots in that area that would make a great weekend destination – Corin Forest is slowly leading the charge with their great cafe. Something in Uriarra perhaps?

I agree. No pub. A nice cafe that serves reasonable food as well would be my choice.

Yep! I agree, a cafe or family friendly venue would be great.

TuggLife said :

I don’t want the pub rebuilt – there are enough accidents and fatalities on that road without adding more alcohol to the mix.

Although the former pub is much missed by many, I think we can do better than a government tender process for rebuilding. There are plenty of other spots in that area that would make a great weekend destination – Corin Forest is slowly leading the charge with their great cafe. Something in Uriarra perhaps?

I agree. No pub. A nice cafe that serves reasonable food as well would be my choice.

It’s a great idea.

Many of us have fond memories of sitting around the cracking open fire in the Cotter Pub on a cold winter’s day. Or walking over from the Cotter Reserve to buy ice creams in summer. It was also a popular stopping point when taking visitors along the Tidbinbilla Road.

But as you would expect from the ACT (Stanhopeless) Government it was not supportive of having the Cotter Pub rebuilt. Something about the wrong ambiance. Far better to use funds to culturally enlighten the plebs with approved works of art and therefore ensure ongoing support from the parasitic art lobby.

But maybe things are progressing. My suggestion is to contact this group to see where things are at: info@cotterhub.com.au

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/cotter-hub-project-calls-for-community-input-20160514-gov757.html

I don’t want the pub rebuilt – there are enough accidents and fatalities on that road without adding more alcohol to the mix.

Although the former pub is much missed by many, I think we can do better than a government tender process for rebuilding. There are plenty of other spots in that area that would make a great weekend destination – Corin Forest is slowly leading the charge with their great cafe. Something in Uriarra perhaps?

An eatery of some sort would be good but surely it should be able to provide for both the family crowd and the motorbike crowd.

At least a kiosk with eats/drinks there in summer would be great I doubt that in this Canberra Nanny State they would licence the selling of grog there. Besides, the cost of the ACT Govt’s licence fees would probably preclude that.

All food there should be Halal of course……..LOL…….

Conditions of the tender should include no VB or Bundy and Hahn Light on tap.

No kebabs or pulled pork but plenty of bacon and egg rolls and locally made meat pies.

Choice of instant coffee instead of that barista-brewed stuff.

Special seniors menu of sausages and three veg.

ACTION busses on tap until the trams are extended there.

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