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The Hamlet owner was disgusted to find dozens of posters claiming his planned inner north development would boost crime, promote drugs and turn a quiet street into a nightmare. Developer Nik Bulum bought the Canberra City Bowling Club in June with a vision to move the Braddon food van village to the Ainslie site and build a restaurant, a new resort-style pool, free outdoor cinema, day spa and boutique hotel. He was furious that at least 20 posters reading "our quiet street is going to be turned into a nightmare," were stuck on trees at the grounds of Ainslie School opposite the Bowling Club on Elder Street. Referencing the pop-up bar and restaurant that will occupy the revamped Bowling Club until Mr Bulum starts his main development in late 2017, the poster read "A bar called 'Bonkers" is comin [sic]". "The Hamlet is moving into the car park SO THINK DRUGS," the poster continued. "The noise will be appalling. There will be empty beer bottles and screaming in our quiet streets and no doubt a massive increase in crime!" Mr Bulum was shocked at the "ludicrous," "judgemental" and "discriminatory" claims that could potentially damage his business and reputation. "It is 2016 and we are an educated city, not some red neck one. I am surprised these uncivilised people have gone out and attacked people with this kind of witch hunt," he said. "They are inciting fear into little kids by sticking them up at schools, by making them worried there will be violence and drugs around." Mr Bulum's "village within a suburb" will feature a two-storey boutique hotel with a restaurant, day spa and large function space fitting up to 600 people. The restaurant will spill out onto a pool and bar, which will be open to the public, with private cabanas that can be hired. He intends to start the development late 2017. But he plans to open his temporary dining project, 'Bonkers,' on November 26, which will provide 80s inspired cuisine, drinks and entertainment to the bowlers and locals until he replaces it with his major development. While he has applied for the venue to be licenced from 7am until 1am, he plans on opening the venue from 10am until 11pm. 'Bonkers' has attracted criticism from the Ainslie School Board, with chair Mel McDonald concerned it will potentially cause vandalism, antisocial behaviour, smoking and sexual activity on the school grounds. While the Bowls Club is already a licensed venue, Ms McDonald believes 'Bonkers' will draw a younger, rowdier demographic. "They have advertised themselves on Facebook as saying anything bonkers can happen there and that clearly means anything mad," she said. "Another main concern is an increase in traffic along Elder Street in an already unsustainable area and increase not only in cars and delivery trucks but also in foot traffic from people accessing the bar at lunch time." She said the school board was opposing the liquor licence proposal. Mr Bulum was frustrated that these concerns had delayed the approval of his liquor licence and believed the claims were unsubstantiated. "The traffic around the school will not be impacted because dinner starts at 6pm and lunch is between 11am and 2pm when students are in class," he said. "Where in Canberra are there raging drunks running around screaming at midday? And it just amazes me that a TAB sign facing this school and a venue that has served alcohol for more than 50 years has never been a problem, but now it is because there will be some younger people there as well." There is no indication that the posters placed on the Ainslie School grounds have any association with staff or parents at the school.

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