By KATIE DE VERTEUIL
DESPITE concerns voiced by local businesses, the proposed development of a 24-hour fuel station, convenience store and fast food outlet for 139 Eumundi Noosa Road is likely to be given the go ahead from Noosa Council.
The development plan was first discussed by the council on Tuesday 26 May, however it was brought back this week due to issues raised by the Planning and Organisation Committee in regards to the competition the development would pose to local business.
With three industrial snack bars, a cafe and a number of mobile food vans already in close vicinity of the proposed construction, there were views the inclusion of a ‘Tradie Cafe’ would impact negatively on existing locals. Two significant changes were made to the original recommendations with the aim of decreasing the potential impact and to ensure the most effective use of the space.
Firstly, the floor plan was expanded from 90 square metres to 137 square metres and the outdoor dining area from 43 square metres to 35 square metres to attract a wider range of clientele and provide a different service, where a variety of food retailers could sell their products at the fast food outlet.
Secondly, the operating hours of the fast food outlet, which were originally set for 5am to 6pm, have been changed to 24 hours.
Deputy mayor Bob Abbot said the approval of the 24-hour station was not about a Tradie’s Cafe or competition, but rather the approval was about creating “real opportunity” for people in the community to access some of the small franchise businesses that will go on the site.
“In our modern life, people tend to jump in the car, go get some fuel, maybe get a packet of smokes and a bottle of milk, and hopefully pick up a take-away meal to take home to the kids at night, that’s what this is about – providing a convenience to this community that they do not have,” he said.
Noosaville Snack Bar owner Cindy Carington-King, who was one of the local business owners who wrote to councillors to voice concerns about Tradie’s Cafe, said she was “satisfied” with the outcome at the committee meeting.
“We would just like to say that we were happy with the response we got from councillors, they raised our concerns and adjourned the meeting for further review and discussion,” Cindy said.
“We understand the council can’t be anti-competition and we think we got the best possible outcome as it will no longer be an Industrial Snack Bar.”
Cindy said she wanted to encourage other businesses to keep updated on happenings in the shire and to speak up when they had concerns.
“If you see these signs (development notification signs), find out what’s going on sooner rather than later. Take up your concerns with the council. From our experience you will be heard,” Cindy said.
A final decision is likely to be made at Thursday’s council meeting.
