After almost a year, multiple meetings and a vocal community campaign, Keira Street roof-top bar Humber has finally been given the green light to serve alcohol by the state's liquor authority.
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On Wednesday, Humber's owner Adam Murphy confirmed he had been notified that the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority planned to approve his licence.
Mr Murphy first lodged his application with the NSW liquor office last May, after notifying Wollongong City Council and police of its intent to apply a year ago.
"It has been a long road to get to this point but we have always felt supported by the people of the city in our journey," he said.
"From the start we have felt that Wollongong City Council, the local licensing police and the community have understood implicitly what we are trying to do and feel we have a legitimate place in the urban centre."
Lord mayor Gordon Bradbery welcomed the authority's "sensible decision", saying their willingness to listen to the community had been encouraging.
He said venues like Humber, which were a departure from "beer-swilling halls" were in line with the council's efforts to develop a sophisticated night-time economy.
Mr Murphy agreed Humber was part of Wollongong's changing city centre.
"The small bar culture in the city has already proven to be a hit with residents and you can see the area is becoming more vibrant both during the day and at night."
He has previously said opening the bar would take about one or two months after the licence was approved.
Humber's owner has snubbed Wollongong MP Noreen Hay, instead heaping praise on Kiama MP Gareth Ward for being ‘‘vital’’ to his liquor licence application’s success.
In a media release Adam Murphy went out of his way to thank the Liberal MP by name.
He said Mr Ward had been vocal in complaining about how long it was taking for the government to approve the licence, ‘‘when NSW is meant to be cutting red tape and making it easier for business’’.
In contrast, when asked if Ms Hay’s efforts had helped his cause, Mr Murphy only said: ‘‘What efforts?’’
Last year, the Wollongong MP sent a letter to city centre residents saying she had heard there was concern about the number of licences.
A number of commentators believed her letter appeared negative however Ms Hay described herself as ‘‘a staunch supporter of wine bars’’ and said this was not her intention.
‘‘Before that letter she made no contact with us. It was only when I made contact with her to question the letter directly that we spoke. I’m unaware of Noreen’s involvement in any other way,’’ Mr Murphy said.
Mr Ward confirmed he had made ‘‘very strong representations’’ to the liquor authority as well as the Trade and Investment Minister regarding Humber.
‘‘They, in my view, were being treated appallingly by a government agency that should be dealing with these matters much more efficiently and effectively than they did,’’ he said.
The Mercury was unable to contact Ms Hay for comment.
