news, local-news, bearded cactus, maitland city council, compliance, coffee, east maitland, peter and leah hodges

The Bearded Cactus coffee outlet may soon have to find a new home. Maitland City Councillors voted 12 to one in favour of beginning ­compliance action against the East Maitland venture at last night’s ­meeting. It came after a staff report ­recommended the compliance and regulatory action to “seek to have the facility stop operating” in the front yard of a New England Highway ­residential block. The Mercury reported this week that the business had been open since February because of a state planning loophole that meant that the mobile food and beverage outlet could ­operate in a residential zone if it did not ­significantly affect the surrounding environment. But several complaints about the business’s impact on noise, traffic and other issues in the area have sparked the council action, which could lead to the closure of the ­popular business. While all councillors who spoke on the matter last night acknow­ledged the strong following the ­business had built, Cr Ben Whiting was the only one to oppose the ­council action. He said that the extra “couple of hundred” cars The Bearded Cactus attracted to the area and the noise the business generated was negligible, given it was located on a busy highway. “I don’t believe this is our loophole to close,” Cr Whiting said. “I really do support the business that has grown there and it’s very disappointing to see that success has become a limiting factor.” Cr Loretta Baker also said she believed The Bearded Cactus had become a victim of its success. “There is no doubt that it is a dynamic business,” she said. “Unfortunately, it is in the wrong place. “I drive past every day and have seen lots of near misses and I also see the disruption in amenity that the neighbours are talking about.” Cr Brian Burke said the issue was not about the business but about ­supporting residents. General manager David Evans said many people would reasonably expect a mobile business to be one that moved its point of sale to various locations throughout the year. Cr Philip Penfold said, if ­compliance action led to the closure of the business, he hoped that a ­sensible timeframe could be applied. The business owners, Peter and Leah Hodges, have said they would work through any issues with council and the community.

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