A community debate is under way over a proposed liquor licence change for The Boathouse, a waterfront restaurant at Shelly Beach in Sydney.
Read: Calls for Action as Brush Turkeys Invade The Boathouse at Shelly Beach
The venue has applied to NSW Liquor and Gaming for a Primary Service Authorisation, which would allow it to serve alcohol to patrons without requiring them to order a meal. The Boathouse currently holds a licence to serve drinks alongside food until midnight Monday to Saturday, and until 10pm on Sundays. The proposed change would keep those same trading hours but remove the meal requirement altogether.
The Boathouse Group CEO Antony Jones wrote to residents explaining the intent behind the application, saying the venue would continue to prioritise food and coastal dining. The purpose, according to the letter, is to give guests greater flexibility, whether they are stopping in for a quick drink, catching up with someone before sitting down to eat, or simply enjoying the view over the water. The business maintained in its application that the overall social impact of the change is unlikely to cause harm to the local or broader community.
Residents Fear a Slippery Slope
The Marine Parade Action Alliance (MPAA), a local resident group, has been vocal in its opposition and says it has heard from hundreds of concerned community members since raising awareness of the application. Co-founders Julie Meldrum and Merrilee Linegar, both of whom live in the area, have outlined three core concerns: the potential for increased alcohol-fuelled antisocial behaviour in the absence of mandatory food service, the risk of harm to a sensitive natural environment, and the fact that Shelly Beach is a residential area and not the Manly Entertainment Precinct.
The MPAA has also raised concerns about how the application was publicised. Under NSW Liquor and Gaming rules, applicants must notify neighbours within 50 metres of the premises. The group says only two neighbours reported receiving a notice, and that the on-site signage at the venue was not prominent enough to inform the broader community.
Wildlife and the Local Environment at Risk
Beyond the social concerns, the MPAA has flagged serious potential consequences for local wildlife. The Boathouse sits adjacent to Cabbage Tree Bay Marine Reserve and national parkland, both of which are home to protected species including Brown Antechinus, Long-nosed Bandicoots, Eastern Pygmy Possums, echidnas and a resident bat community. The group argues these animals are highly sensitive to noise and artificial light in the evening hours, and that extending alcohol service without a food requirement could disrupt their behaviour and breeding cycles.
There are also concerns about litter. Shelly Beach is a popular family swimming spot, and locals worry that increased late-night patronage could mean rubbish and broken glass turning up on the sand by morning, with some of it potentially making its way into the marine reserve.
The Boathouse already trades until midnight on weeknights with few reported issues under its existing licence. Locals say the neighbourhood typically winds down from around 5pm or 6pm, and are concerned about sustained noise and light spilling from the venue well into the night if the new authorisation is granted.
Read: End of an Era as Manly Waterworks Demolished After 45 Years
Northern Beaches Council, while aware of the application, has no formal role in the approval process as the decision rests with NSW Liquor and Gaming. Council is able to submit a response if it chooses to do so.
Published 27-May-2026
