A renowned roadside pie van could be forced to shut down because it is in the firing line of a multibillion-dollar transport project.
The Aussie Battler Pie Van, run by husband-and-wife Barry and Beverley Jones beside Caloundra Road for the past 36 years, is set to make way for The Wave, which will include a new train line from Beerwah to Birtinya.
Mr Jones told Sunshine Coast News the Department of Transport expected them to cease trading there by early next year, and they faced an uncertain future.
“We’ve been talking with our customers and none of them are impressed,” he said.
“I don’t know what we can do. Different people have suggested a petition but it’s hard to change something like this, because it (the project) has got to happen for the growth of the area.
“The 31st of January could be the last day we’ll be able to operate.”
A TMR spokesperson confirmed the business would need to make way.
“The current site of the Aussie Battler Pie Van will be required to support construction access when works start on the new Caloundra station in early 2027.”
“TMR is working with the owner and Sunshine Coast Council to relocate the permit to a nearby site so the business can continue operating safely.”
Mr Jones said he was in talks with Sunshine Coast Council about the possibility of relocating to a less prominent site, about 720m away, beside Pathfinder Drive, which is the road to the Caloundra Airport.
But that could be a difficult move.
“February is one of the worst months for retail because you’ve just come off Christmas and the kids have just gone back to school, and it’s usually very hot,” he said.
“Trying to sell hot food then and relocating to a position off the main road would probably be a tough ask, but you never know, that may be the position we have to take.”
The van, which has had a permit with the council to operate on state-owned reserve, has become a familiar sight to commuters for decades.
It offers a variety of pies including chunky steak, chunky pepper, curry, peas, steak and kidney, and chicken and vegetable. It also has sausage rolls, hot dogs and more.
The van was purchased by Mr Jones’ father in 1984, after he retired from the Air Force, was and it passed on to Mr and Mrs Jones in 1991.
“I (also) got out of the Air Force and wasn’t ready to retire full time. We had a newborn on the way, and we wanted some stability after moving around,” Mr Jones said.
“It (the business) has been good to us.
“We’ve got to meet a lot of people over the years. We’ve seen generation after generation come through.
“We’ve got to see people’s kids grow up and, eventually, those kids come back and get their own orders with their P-plates on their cars.
“They enjoy being able to come down and get a feed on their own for the first time.”
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Mr Jones said they were at a prime location near Rotary Park, on the westbound side of Caloundra Road, near a main intersection.
“It’s a good location, visible to everyone who goes past,” he said.
“It’s easy for people to pull in and there’s a car park out the back. There’s also a turnaround area down further, where trucks can swing around.”
He said it was on the more profitable side of the road.
“People heading into town have got appointments and need to be there by a certain time but when they’re coming out of Caloundra, they’ve done their business and are heading back to Aura or wherever, and they say, ‘we’ll grab a pie on the way home’.”
Mr Jones said there were hardly any sites beside Caloundra Road that could be considered for relocation.
He said there were already food outlets by the eastbound side while there was scarce available land next by the westbound side.
Mr Jones said the business had survived a previous attempt from TMR to move them on “years ago”, but they were “fortunate enough” to stay after a petition was lodged.
He’s not so sure this time.
“We probably would have liked a couple more years here but it’s the way things are.
“The railway mob came out and sat and talked with me and they have been open about it. We’ve just got to work out what to do.”
The Wave is expected to deliver faster, more reliable public transport between Brisbane and Sunshine Coast Airport, and its has been developed to minimise impacts on the community wherever possible. Multiple businesses and homes could be impacted.
The council stated that the matter sits with TMR.
