A $2.5 million redevelopment of Franklins Tavern, a five-decade-old Albany Highway venue in Victoria Park, is set to transform the pub into a modern hospitality hub. The proposal, scheduled for review by the Metro Inner Development Assessment Panel on Wednesday, includes a rooftop terrace, upgraded outdoor areas, and a new streetscape.
Planned Additions and Alterations
The plans involve renovating the existing tavern building, adding to the ground floor, constructing a rooftop terrace, upgrading alfresco dining areas, reconfiguring parking and vehicle access, new landscaping and verge treatments, bicycle parking for staff and patrons, and updated signage. The venue will remain single-storey in planning terms, with the rooftop terrace and stairwell overrun above the main building.
Community and Council Feedback
Town of Victoria Park officers said the proposal would deliver an improved built form with acceptable social impacts. They noted the surrounding area has changed significantly over the decades, now including childcare centres, mixed-use apartments, commercial premises, and higher-density housing. Twelve submissions supported the proposal, seven opposed it, and seven were neutral.
Key concerns from nearby residents included noise from the rooftop and alfresco areas, anti-social behaviour, traffic and parking impacts, trading hours, lighting spill, waste collection, and neighbourhood character. Recommended conditions include a noise management plan and an operational management plan addressing security, patron behaviour, complaints procedures, lighting, and transport.
Trading Hours and Entertainment Restrictions
Under the proposal, the tavern would close by 10pm Sundays to Wednesdays, 11pm Thursdays, and midnight Fridays and Saturdays. The bottle shop would continue trading until midnight daily. Outdoor entertainment would face tight restrictions: no live music in outdoor areas, rooftop and alfresco spaces closing by 10pm daily, and outdoor patron caps after 7pm. Live music would be allowed indoors only with doors closed after 10pm.
The town acknowledged concerns about anti-social behaviour but believed the proposal had adequate passive surveillance and management measures. A proposed roof sign was not approved; planners asked for it to be deleted or relocated. Existing mature trees on site must be protected during construction. If approved, the development approval would remain valid for four years.
