THE owner of Williamstown’s Titanic Theatre Restaurant has decided to sell after 22 years, despite Hobsons Bay Council rejecting controversial plans to demolish the adjoining Port Phillip Woollen Mill.
Restaurateur Andrew Singer spoke against the mill’s demolition at a special planning committee of the council last Thursday.
In a dramatic twist, Mr Singer pointed out a man in the public gallery he said represented the applicant for the demolition permit.
He claimed he had signed an agreement with one of the developers in relation to future damage that could be caused to the historic Titanic, the closest neighbour to the proposed high-rise development site.
At the meeting, Williamstown ward councillor Angela Altair asked whether anyone representing the applicant was present. Noone responded. Developer Nelson Place Village Pty Ltd wants to demolish buildings on the 1.7-hectare block bounded by Nelson Place and Ann, Aitken and Kanowna streets.
Three former pubs, which it either does not own or which have heritage protection, are exempt: the Titanic and the former Telegraph and Oriental hotels.
Mr Singer told the council:
“I am the closest neighbour to the site and the premature demolition of existing buildings will have a devastating effect on my business and residence.”
He said two nearby pubs had already fallen into disrepair. In the early 1990s, the now-defunct Oriental Hotel was partly owned by Collingwood footballer Peter Daicos and traded as the Willy Tavern.
Business was so good that extra topless barmaids were required to entertain hundreds of visiting sailors, following the navy’s $5billion Anzac frigate deal, which poured millions into Williamstown’s economy.
The man pointed out by Mr Singer at the meeting refused to identify himself and told the Weekly: “I’m not gonna comment because I’m not here to comment.”
Mr Singer said he expected the developer to appeal the council’s refusal at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. “I’m not selling up because of this. It’s due to the fact I’ve earned retirement, because I have limited time on this earth.”
Mr Singer said the restaurant would continue to operate as the Titanic under the management of an ex-employee who had taken on the job.
“Somehow, I feel we will be an oasis in a desert. Once this demolition takes place, I feel [it will be like] next to me a bomb went off and somehow we were spared.” Next month, the centenary of the sinking of the world’s most famous liner will be commemorated with a ‘Titanic Extravaganza’ at Williamstown Town Hall.
