Council on my side says cafe owner



Tuesday 3 July 2012

Council on my side says cafe owner

Under Wraps cafe owner Wayne Stapleton met with a Cairns Regional Council officer on Friday morning to discuss the directive given by the State Government's Department of Transport and Main Roads that a significant section of his outdoor dining area be removed due to safety concerns.

Mr Stapleton was told to comply with State Government's orders after applying for permission to have a permanent shade structure erected outside the popular eatery.

Mr Stapleton said the Council officer was sympathetic to his concerns that removing a number of tables from the paved area in front of the cafe would result in a loss of business of up to 50 per cent.

"Council is on my side to try and get it back the way it was," Mr Stapleton said. "The cars are only going 40km maximum, we're only open during the day not nights so there are now worries with visibility."

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He said Council have allowed him to keep his layout on one side of the pedestrian crossing, while pushing chairs back on the side on which traffic approaches.

The Council officer will now liaise with the Department of Transport and Main Roads, but should they remain steadfast in their demands, Mr Stapleton said it would be likely he would need to relocate.

He said regardless of the outcome, the Department needs to be consistent when enforcing their requirements across all businesses in Port Douglas and Cairns, and said he should not be singled-out for harsh treatment.