Gold Diggers Arms proposes bigger beer garden

THE Gold Diggers Arms Hotel is considering creating more usable space in its beer garden, and has lodged a planning permit with the City of Greater Geelong.

The long-standing Newtown pub and restaurant at the corner of Skene and Pescott streets has applied for an increase to the area covered by its general licence, but will not expand the “red line” in which liquor can be sold and consumed beyond the existing boundaries of the property.

According to the plans drawn up by Another Dimension Building Design for the outdoor garden, which have an estimated cost of $100,000, an existing marquee will be removed and vegetation cleared to the rear “red line” at the property.

The works will create an open grass area with timber picnic tables, and a larger temporary marquee set up in the newly-cleared space, also with tables and a bar area.

An existing carport would be demolished and replaced with a new 20-foot container to act as a kitchen store, but the rest of the existing structure of the pub would not be changed.

The outdoor area will be closed on Mondays, and be open from 3-9pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and from 12 noon to 9pm from Thursdays to Sundays.

Opening hours would be extended to 9.30pm during daylight savings.

The maximum number of patrons at the Gold Diggers Arms will stay the same at 183, and the existing licence allows the pub to stay open until 11pm.

No amplified music will be played in the marque and outdoor areas.

Public comment on the planning application closes on January 31.

For more information, head to planning,