MidCoast Council resolved to discontinue the commercial use of public wharves in 2019.
In the Tea Gardens region this includes Yallinbah public wharf on Marine Drive which has previously been used by local businesses.
Since 2019 staff have kept regular contact with the businesses providing updates and suggesting alternatives such as constructing a private wharf for their usage.
Council's Executive Manager Public Spaces, Liam Bulley said the decision was made so that public wharves remained just that, for the public, and not for private enterprises.
"This decision hasn't just come out of the blue. The decision was made and businesses were informed almost six years ago that this would eventually come about," he explained.
"And eight months ago, businesses were again told the steps to put the restriction in place were imminent.
"Council has done everything in its power to provide businesses with more than sufficient time to come up with an alternative option."
From 1 July 2025 commercial use of public wharves including those in Tea Gardens will be restricted.
