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Redbacks bid to reopen Romsey Hotel

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By Colin MacGillivray

The long-shuttered Romsey Hotel could be given fresh life after the Romsey Football Netball Club announced a bid to lease and operate the venue.

The club posted the proposal on its Facebook page on February 25, with plans to employ up to 100 people and distribute profits to community groups and charities through a board of trustees.

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Owner Jim Hogan closed the Romsey Hotel in October 2017, leaving Romsey without a licensed venue for more than five years.

Mr Hogan had previously lost a battle to install about 30 poker machines at the venue in 2009 – a move opposed by Macedon Ranges Shire Council.

Romsey Football Netball Club spokesperson Darryn Hartnett remained tight-lipped about whether poker machines would form part of the club’s current proposal to operate the venue, but said the plan would benefit the entire township.

“The club wishes to operate a renovated historic quality pub that the community can be proud of,” he said.

“The club is looking at a range of options with quality facilities for the community, including potentially a sports bar and a cafe.

“The club intends to reach out to the local service clubs and the RSL regarding their potential needs, and to look to provide them with quality suitable meeting facilities in the building.”

romsey pub 2

An online poll accompanied Romsey Football Netball Club’s social media post, asking respondents whether they would prefer the hotel to be restored as a licensed venue, turned into a McDonald’s fast-food outlet or converted into high-density housing.

Mr Hartnett said the community’s preference was overwhelmingly for the venue to reopen as a hotel.

“So far the website has received over 1700 positive votes from the community supporting the proposal for the reopening of the pub,” he said.

“In fact, around 98 per cent of the total votes received on the website have voted in favour of the pub reopening proposal option.

“The club will look at the votes received and then look at next steps.”

Macedon Ranges Shire Council planning and environment director Rebecca Stockfeld said council was yet to receive a formal planning application to reopen the hotel, but it was open to working with the club.

“Council will be working with the proponents to better understand this proposal, however no formal planning application has been submitted,” she said.

“Should a planning application be submitted, council would consider any new proposal through the usual planning process.”

Mr Hartnett said the club was ‘looking forward to working with the council on the proposal’.

Mr Hogan declined to comment when approached by the Review, saying it was inappropriate for him to speak on the club’s proposal.

Mr Hartnett said the club came up with the idea of operating the hotel about a year ago and had ‘some broad discussions’ with Mr Hogan.

People can view the proposal to refurbish and reopen the hotel at www.romseycommunityhotel.com.au.

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