THE much-loved tradition of enjoying a soft serve after a swim at Lady Bay looks to be a thing of the past with Mr Whippy told to make way for the new Foreshore Pavilion.
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For 52 years, sun-soaked beachgoers have been treating themselves to an ice-cream from the Mr Whippy van parked near the breakwater but the van is out of action this summer.
Mr Whippy van owner Gerry Billings, who is also the Warrnambool SES controller, said he did not apply for a permit to sell ice-cream this year after he was told by a senior council officer permits would not be granted because council's Foreshore Pavilion, which includes a cafe and bar, would be open.
"It's one of the last of Warrnambool's old traditions gone," he said.
"It's disappointing."
Warrnambool City Council's communications manager Kim Sweetnam said it was her understanding no applications for permits in that area had been received after council advertised for expressions of interest.
"Council has no policy of preventing competition in (the foreshore pavilion) area," she said.
"Council would be happy to consider an application for a permit if (Mr Billings) applies for one."
Mr Billings has sold ice-cream from his van every summer for the past 32 years and said he enjoyed hearing stories from people who recalled buying ice-cream from Mr Whippy as children and now brought their children and grandchildren to get a scoop.
The van, which now sits idle in a shed, usually starts churning out ice-cream for visitors and residents alike every weekend and public holiday from Boxing Day through to Easter.
Mr Billings said he had no intention of getting a permit to drive the van though the city streets delivering ice-cream because he believed being parked along the foreshore was a safer option for children and families.
