‘Brink of closure’: Ipswich dog cafe owners petition council over road closure losses

The owners of a beloved Ipswich dog cafe are petitioning a council to fix road closures they say are putting their business at risk.

Bernie and Lisa Garrity of Barkley and Pips in Bundamba. Pictured with Maggie and Vivienne Dorothy. Picture: Cordell Richardson

The owners of an Ipswich dog cafe are appealing for Ipswich City Council to address massive losses they say local businesses are suffering due to road closures.

Barkley and Pips in Bundamba owner Lisa Garrity has launched a petition over the issue which has already logged more than 750 signatures.

She claimed Barkley and Pips, along with many neighbouring businesses, had suffered significant losses as a result of the closures.

The cafe is located on Hawkins Crescent but the closure of Ashburn Rd has allegedly diverted traffic from the crescent, while works have also affected nearby Hume road.

“We opened just before Covid hit and have experienced some of the most challenging times any small business could face in its infancy,” Ms Garrity said.

She said that just as the business was getting back on its feet, however, the council signed off on a seven-month road closure, including Ashburn Rd, while Walker Corporation’s Citiswich development was built.

She had since been told the closures could last into December, which she said would bring the total time where her business was affected to 12 months.

“None of this was done in consultation with us or our neighbouring businesses,” she said.

“With no through traffic past our cafe, we have lost out on many of our early morning customers that stop to grab a coffee on the way to work.”

Infrastructure Committee deputy chairman Paul Tully said stage four works, outlined in the Citiswich state landscape masterplan, were “underway or likely to commence shortly to meet contractual deadlines”.

“As part of stage four, works will be undertaken within the buffer area including earthworks and rehabilitation to enable the land to be used for open space purposes. This also includes the construction of Warner Rd.”

Division 3 Councillor, Andrew Fechner, said he and Councillor Marnie Doyle met affected residents and business owners, including Ms Garrity, and raised their concerns directly with the developer.

“We are continuing to listen to and advocate for residents and business owners and look forward to Hume Rd reopening as soon as possible,” Mr Fechner said.

Ms Doyle said “while these works are not being undertaken by Council, we are consulting with both the community and the developers to make sure they progress smoothly and do not impact residents and businesses any more than absolutely necessary.”

Ms Garrity said customers had to endure trucks driving past every 15 minutes, which caused noise and dust problems.

She said the development could bring hers and neighbouring businesses to “the brink of closure on the back of the financial burden of Covid”.

“We chose to open our dog cafe in the place we call home.

“We are hoping our neighbours and the wonderful people of Ipswich recognise that what is happening to this small family run business is wrong.”

Barkley and Pips dog cafe, Bundamba. Picture: Cordell Richardson

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the council was investigating complaints about increased dust and had conducted inspections to ensure temporary traffic control complied with the approved permit.

“It is the responsibility of the developer to manage the impacts their operations have on local businesses – Council expects works permit holders to be mindful of the adverse impacts their work may have on their neighbours, whether they are businesses or residents,” she said.

Ms Harding said the developer’s permit expired on November 30.

Council was reviewing a request to extend or amend the permit.

“If the site is deemed unsafe or non-compliant Council will consider its options going forward,” she said.

Walker Corporation was contacted for comment.