A much-loved roadside coffee shop will remain open temporarily as a formal complaint regarding council processes is reviewed.
Busstop Espresso’s operators were given three months’ notice to cease serving coffee and food from its roadside premises, after Noosa Council rejected its application for the appropriate licensing in November.
Its owners Rob and Beth Noy then launched a petition, which was lodged to council in January, with more than 3000 signatures showing “overwhelming” support for the Cooroy cafe.
In addition, the Noys have submitted a formal administrative complaint about council’s processes, which has now resulted in an internal review.
Council CEO Larry Sengstock said he had since met with cafe owners and the review was likely to take several weeks to complete.
He said the review would not change the outcome of the application refusal, rather delay the closure.
“To clarify, this extension for Busstop Espresso to continue to operate at its current site is only temporary while we complete the internal review, relating to their formal complaint,” he said.
“It is not linked to the council decision made last year, as the operator didn’t file an appeal with Planning and Environment Court within the required appeal period.”
Sunshine Coast News reported last year that the application for a food and drink outlet at 201 Mary River Road was refused as it was inconsistent with the Noosa Plan 2020.
However, in the recent petition the Noys made reference to the fact the cafe began during the pandemic as a way to keep locals connected.
“Covid is a word, incidentally, that does not appear in the Noosa Plan, because the pandemic had not occurred at the time of its writing,” the petition stated.
“Signatories were also invited to leave a comment. Hundreds have done so, many referring to the time during Covid when Busstop opened, and became a social lifeline for so many, which it still does today.”
Data from the petition of 3007 signatures revealed strong local support for the cafe, with 752 signatures from Noosa Shire postcodes and 283 from Sunshine Coast postcodes.
Of the 752 Noosa signatures, 406 Cooroy residents under the 4563 postcode signed the petition.
The cafe has also drawn support from wider Queensland and interstate, with 931 signatures from around the state, 289 from New South Wales and the ACT and 237 from Victoria.
The remainder was made up from other Australian states and territories.
In the petition the Noys stated that this identified “the huge support for the continuation of the business in its present form from hinterland residents but also its evident success as a tourist attraction”.
“We express our heartfelt thanks to you for supporting us,” they said.
Noosa Council’s director of development and regulation Richard MacGillivray said council staff had worked with the owners exploring suitable alternative sites where they can continue to grow their cafe business and concept.
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