By Owen Briffa
Tuesday, 18, January, 2022
2:28pm
RUMOURS have been squashed for now, following discussion on local chat forums that the John Forrest Tavern will be demolished for a larger carpark.
Photo: Wildflower Tavern, PUBSPY
Also known as the Wildflower Tavern, it was opened in the late 1970s and has became a popular hangout for locals, tourists and famous kangaroos.
This comes after the State Government invested $8.4 million to further improve services and facilities at John Forrest National Park.
A spokesperson from DBCA said "the current lease to operate the John Forrest Tavern, located within John Forrest National Park, expires in May 2022."
"The investment will revitalise and diversify the activities available to park visitors through new and improved trails, a new café, interpretation and retail space, additional larger carparking and improvements to existing picnic areas and gardens."
The work is being completed in different phases and a design tender for the first phase of work is expected to be awarded in coming weeks, said DBCA.
"The future of all buildings in the park, including the tavern, will be determined through the design process."
MMN has been told that the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions is liaising with the current tavern lessees. A commercial opportunity for the new café and retail space will be publicly advertised for interested parties to register their interest.
In 2018 the Tavern made headlines after the DBCA banned the owners of the Wildflower Tavern from feeding the Kangaroos, after previously feeding them for 17 years. If the Tavern were to be pulled down, what would happen to the Roos?
MMN was told by the DBCA that the "Kangaroos that frequent the tavern will be monitored by Park and Wildlife Service officers while the park improvements are underway".
MMN will be following this story, and will keep the community up-to-date.
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