The Dunes restaurant has quashed rumours that it has been preventing Ocean Grove Surf Lifesaving Club (OGSLSC) from operating its bistro.
OGSLSC’s bistro has been closed since the end of October, but Seachange Hospitality, which operates The Dunes, has refuted rumours that it took legal action to prevent it from operating.
The Dunes is situated at Ocean Grove main beach next to the surf life saving club. Both venues are leased from Barwon Coast Committee of Management.
Seachange Hospitality managing director Tarren Colwell said The Dunes was “bitterly disappointed by the misinformation and rumours that have circulated within the community, which are both untrue and unjustified”.
“I want to be clear that The Dunes has no legal or commercial relationship with the OGSLSC, nor have we ever undertaken legal action against them,” Mr Colwell said.
“The Dunes respects the critical role that the life saving club undertakes within the community and wish them the utmost success.
“The Dunes and the OGSLSC have individual leases, or similar, with Barwon Coast Committee of Management.
“Both leases outline the permitted uses and scope of commercial activity within each tenancy. It is not our place to provide commentary on the lease or activities of the OGSLSC.”
OGSLSC said it was working with Barwon Coast to resolve the situation. The OGSLSC website states that it is a “leasing issue”.
“Over the past few months the Ocean Grove Surf Lifesaving Club has been working through some issues regarding our building lease with our landlord Barwon Coast Committee of Management,” vice-president Scott McNaughton said.
“We are making good progress and we are confident we will be able to resolve the issues very shortly. The club fully expects to be ready for this summer and we will again be providing our full range of club activities and services to our members.”
Barwon Coast said it was hopeful of a resolution soon.
“We’re working with the Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club and DELWP to resolve this matter,” CEO Gary McPike said.
“We want to see a positive and fair outcome. The lifesaving club provides an invaluable service to the local community and we will continue to provide them with rent-free occupation of the building for club activities and events in line with their licence agreement.”
