The world’s biggest floating entertainment venue has been given a liquor licence to operate off Elizabeth Quay and off Coogee and Port beaches.

The $7.3 million proposal from Barge Co has been granted a restricted tavern licence, with a range of conditions that include restrictions on noise.

Barge Co managing director Guy Moritz welcomed the licence but said the proposal still required approval from Environment Minister Stephen Dawson before it could proceed, hopefully in time for the 2018-19 Perth summer.

Mr Dawson is considering two applications for floating venues, including the Barge Co proposal. The Barge Co plan involves a 50m two-storey barge that includes feature palm trees and a lap-style swimming pool for up to 20 patrons.

Camera Icon Artists impression of Barge Co's proposed floating event space on the Swan River. Credit: Supplied

It will have a maximum capacity of 600 people and be suitable for a variety of events, including concerts, conferences, weddings and other social occasions.

In granting the licence, the WA Director of Liquor Licensing said there were “several clear public interest matters associated with the granting of this application”. “First, the proposed premises will offer a distinctive on-water hospitality feature, acknowledged by the chief executive officer of the Tourism Council WA as a unique proposal that will provide a new tourism attraction for the Perth CBD,” he said.

The director also referred to a submission from former environment minister Albert Jacob, who said that he had been briefed on the proposal and saw it as the “opportunity to showcase our city from the Swan River” and “provide an innovative experience which I believe will be welcomed by Western Australians, as well as inbound tourists”.

Camera Icon Artists impression of Barge Co's proposed floating event space on the Swan River. Credit: Supplied by subject

Mr Moritz said he had expected strong government support for the com-pany’s proposal. “However, under the last government there seemed to be a culture of fear that led to departments believing it was their job to reject anything that wasn’t thoroughly tried and tested, even where there was an opportunity to mitigate risks,” he said.

As part of the conditions of the licence, lifeguards must be employed at all times, glassware is not permitted in the pool, patrons are not permitted to swim off the barge and it must be 500m off the Port and Coogee beaches.