By JONATHON HOWARD
SEVERAL Noosaville Industrial Estate businesses have spoken about their fears for the future as hopes for a lifeline hang with Noosa Council.
Ally’s Hair4U, located on Project Avenue, owner Vabby Arora said the Noosa Council letter deeming his business to be in breach was a shock and devastating blow.
“We are unsure whether lodging a development application would be approved – and we’ve been given early advice that it’s unlikely,” he said.
Mr Arora took over the business almost three years ago, but it had been operating in the industrial estate for more than 18 years.
“We want to stay,” he said.
“We have built the business up and have a large client base and we are the only hair salon that offers eyebrow threading in Noosa.”
Mr Arora said his lease would expire in November 2016 and he’s unsure whether council would honour an extension of an additional two years which was in the contract clause.
Married couple Ashley and Harrison Mallory opened Scumbags Barber Shop three months ago on Project Avenue and thought their dream was becoming a reality.
But their dream has quickly turned into a nightmare after they also received the Noosa Council letter citing their new business was in breach.
The couple have a 12-month lease with renewal options of up to 10 years – which they again hope could be honoured.
Mr Mallory said the couple was now weighing up their options including whether to shift to Maroochydore.
“There’s been a huge response from our clients and local residents dropping in and asking if there’s anything they can do to help,” he said.
“We even had one guy start an online petition, but we’ve since found out that council will not be accepting online petitions.
“We feel like there’s been a severe lack of engagement by Noosa Council to inform us of our options and talk to us about working with council – we have not seen a single council officer or councillor drop by.”
The couple have more than 26 years of hair styling experience between them and their businesses’ unique offering was already a hit with locals.
“We setup here to provide a service to the local trades people and those who work around us in the estate,” Mrs Mallory said.
“We’re aiming towards the 8 December deadline when we have to state our intentions with council and we should know more after that.”
HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you think council acted harshly against these businesses? Or do you commend council for sticking to the zoning codes as specified in the Noosa Town Plan? Send your thoughts to newsdesk@noosatoday.net.au
