If approved, the new bar and retail precinct would bring three still-to-be-confirmed tenancies to Mogo. Image: Supplied.
A new bar and retail precinct could soon be arriving in a small South Coast town.
A development application (DA) has been lodged with Eurobodalla Shire Council for the Mogo project, estimating that the works would cost about $630,000.
The exact tenants are yet to be locked in, but the plans describe a shared space with a bar, coolroom, outdoor seating, toilets, administration office and retail space.
Local builder and developer Aaron Dunn believes demand from prospective tenants will be strong.
“Mogo is an incredibly special village and I’m really excited to be part of its next chapter,” he said.
“This development is about creating a practical, vibrant space that supports local businesses and gives people another great reason to spend time in the village during the day.”
If given the green light, the development would transform a site in Charles Street, east of Mogo’s main street.
Plans prepared by Candor Town Planning and Development Professionals state that the location previously housed a temporary commercial premises offering bushfire support to businesses.
The “temporary ‘pop-up’ mall” featured relocatable buildings that were removed sometime before May 2022, leaving the site vacant.
The documents also state that the development is being planned as a single-storey premises with a verandah and alfresco seating.
It would have a maximum height of 6.9 metres and a verandah to cover patrons in the outdoor seating area.
“Full-height glazing and shopfront doors are oriented to the street under the verandah, ensuring good visibility into the retail and bar areas and contributing to an active frontage consistent with Mogo’s main street character.”
The documents state the retail tenant is expected to be open from 9 am until 6 pm, seven days a week.
“The proposal develops a vacant E1 Local Centre lot into active commercial floorspace, improving the built environment, supporting local jobs and services, and managing flood and bushfire risk through siting, levels and construction.”
The landscaping will be designed in line with council policies and have a “semi-domestic treatment” to match Mogo’s character.
“Landscaping within setback and edge areas will be designed in an informal, ‘village cottage’ style, using grassed surfaces, mixed shrub and perennial beds and small feature trees rather than formal geometric planting,” an environmental report says.
There would be vehicle access from Charles Street and existing on-site parking.
A bushfire report prepared as part of the DA states that the development site has access to rearticulated water, hydrant coverage and multiple access routes for firefighters.
It recommends that an emergency management plan be developed, which would identify things like evacuation routes in the area and how the premises should manage fire risks (including times it could close early).
“Charles Street itself is void of vegetation, with the main bushfire threat within 140 metres of the site occurring east of James Street, west of the Princes Highway, and south of Tomakin Road,” the document says.
Mr Dunn said the venue, if approved, would become a part of the town’s growth as a tourism destination.
“It’s fantastic to see Mogo Village thriving and continuing to grow on its already well-established tourism appeal,” he said.
“I’m proud to be investing locally and contributing to a project that supports both the community and visitors to the area.”
The DA, with the ID of DA0312/26, is currently under consideration by the council.
Submissions will close on 15 February.
