Uki hopes fade
HOPES that a new Mt Warning Hotel at Uki would be trading by Christmas have been dashed, much to the frustration of owners Brett and Kim Watson.
In April, when council voted to approve the Watsons' plans to replace the popular heritage-listed hotel that burnt down 17 months ago, the couple had predicted construction would start within weeks.
But now they say it will be at least another couple of months with the pub plans placed back on public exhibition until August 6.
They aren't the only ones disappointed.
Local traders, whose businesses have suffered since the 99-year-old heritage listed pub burnt down, were eagerly anticipating having a new pub by December.
Uki Takeaway owner Lorraine Ratjens, whose weekend trade has slumped 40%, said: "It's going to be a grim Christmas."
CORRECTION: Tweed Shire Council says contrary to the original story, the flood requirement was not the main requirement of the need to modify consent for the pub.
The key reason for the raising of the pub's floor was to satisfy a Building Code of Australia requirement to provide access to the front entrance of the hotel.
