ROUGH GOING – Portarlington foreshore festival attracts mixed response

A TWO-WEEK foreshore festival running in Portarlington has received a mixed response from local traders and residents.

The Anchorage Bellarine Festival started on Boxing Day and will operate in the parklands behind Rockwall Café until January 6.

Organised by former Australian rules footballer and commentator Danny “Spud” Frawley, and his wife Anita, the festival aims to highlight local business and wineries, while offering entertainment options for the thousands of people who flock to the seaside town.

But Rockwall at the Pier restaurant owner Mitch Kovacic said he did not support up to 10 high quality food trucks and coffee vans being placed directly on his doorstep.

“Food and coffee is my core business.

“Imagine if you opened a restaurant anywhere else, then all of a sudden for your primary peak period where you need to do well, 10 other restaurants open up next door for two weeks? It’s insanity.

“I want to make it very clear that I am not opposed to or scared of competition.

“In most ways competition is healthy and provides a better product for the customer. However, competition must be on a level playing field.

“Not a fly-in fly-out smash and grab; that’s not competition.”

Mr Kovacic said he stood for all of Portarlington’s permanent street traders – those who put countless hours, effort and money into their business because they were passionate and believed in their community, those who employed local people and local kids, those who donated to local charity and clubs, and those who paid rates and leases and freeholds.

“It’s simply not fair, it’s not competition, it’s theft.”

But Mr Kovacic said he did support the idea of activities for families, buskers, entertainment and the inclusion of the twilight cinema.

Mr Frawley took to social media last week to reiterate that the event was a celebration of the beauty of the Bellarine Peninsula and he thanked all of those embracing the summer festivities.

He offered local traders the chance to advertise for the first 20 minutes before the start of the film free of charge, and stated that he had sourced local bands and entertainment, including The Carpetbaggers and Sarah Lynn.

“We have also endeavoured to staff our event with local staff. If you know of any great locals please who want to join us, please email us,” he said.

Mr Frawley also offered 100 locals a double pass to the open air cinema to see Love Actually.

One local said: “Thanks for taking the risk of putting on extra opportunities for community and visitors – food, film, drinks, camaraderie, connections and employment. A big thumbs up. A great opportunity for locals, visitors and online community to appreciate how special the Bellarine and its offerings are. Well done and thanks.”

Katrina Shimmin said she thought it was fantastic and gave people (locals and holidaymakers) something else to do, especially the kids, and Karen Jones said as a local in summer she couldn’t get a table anywhere, anytime, so welcomed the food trucks.