WORK has begun on a fish and chip shop and function centre over Corio Bay at Western Beach.


Proponent Malcolm Ralton said the start of construction was the culmination of a three-year process to secure approval for the development.


Mr Ralton said he initially proposed a floating fish and chip shop but the facility would now rest on eight 12-metre piles driven into the seabed and with a “wave attenuator” for protection.


Safety concerns had forced the change to ensure a stable base for cooking, he said.


“The first of the piles are being driven into place now and then we will lay a flat barge over the piles. We have a prefabricated structure ready to erect on the base.”


Mr Ralton said the barge was previously a floating fish and chip shop on the Yarra River at Docklands in Melbourne.