Business That Little Place attacked over Mt Gravatt East development petition

A BRISBANE business owner is in fear for the safety of her staff and says she is the target of a vitriolic social media campaign relating to a petition against a 32-townhouse development.

There has been backlash over a Mt Gravatt East townhouse development which the developer hasn't even submitted a development application to Brisbane City Council. There has been a community meeting to discuss the impact on residents and wildlife in the area.

A MT Gravatt East business owner says she is the target of a vitriolic social media campaign relating to a petition with more than 550 signatures against a 32-townhouse development.

Lisa Lee from That Little Place, an eatery located on Carrara St, took to social media this week to explain to her customers that she had to take down the petition because she feared for the safety of her staff after being harassed.

The properties on Carrara and Nurran streets were sold through Ray White Holland Park.

Lisa claims someone has driven past the business taking footage and another person has posted foul language and unsavoury comments to the That Little Place Facebook page.

That Little Place in Mt Gravatt East. Photo: Facebook

Loyal customers have jumped to the defence of That Little Place, with locals leaving messages of support and love for the business.

“Thanks to a campaign of intimidation, we have been forced to remove a petition from our community noticeboard,” Lisa wrote on the business Facebook page.

“We’re always happy to support our customers, and have a variety of information for everyone to read and stay informed. But not everyone believes in freedom of speech, except when it suits.

“We’re OK with the fake 1 star reviews, but when it comes to being under surveillance and stalking......we’re out!

There has been backlash over a Mt Gravatt East townhouse development which the developer hasn't even submitted a development application to Brisbane City Council.

“The safety of our staff comes first, and always will. We said we wouldn’t be bullied and intimidated, but clearly we’re not dealing with balanced individuals, in this case.

“Thank you to all our gorgeous customers, you absolutely outweigh the troublemakers by far!”

After a keyboard warrior continued to slam That Little Place Lisa wrote: “OK fact: I did not ask for this petition, I was asked if it could be placed on our community noticeboard, and I said yes.

“As I have previously stated, I’m more than happy to oblige polite people.

There has been a community meeting to discuss the impact on residents and wildlife in the area.

“This has nothing to do with our cafe, and we won’t be intimidated by keyboard warriors with too much time on their hands.

“If you had bothered to speak to me about this, you would have all the facts.”

Mt Gravatt East Townhouse Development Action Group spokesman Mark Winters told the Southern Star he had no doubt in his mind the people responsible for the harassment had reasons for not wanting the petition to reach many people.

“We have been thinking … what is their motivation?,” Mr Winters said.

“Perhaps they think the sale of (the) properties are in jeopardy.

Mt Gravatt East townhouse development flyer.

“We are not the ones writing feral posts, we are playing a straight, factual bat.

“We’re locked into a process — until the developer puts in his development application — the only thing we can do is alert people in the community about the plans.

“We understand there are different views — but if someone disagrees with ours we don’t get on Facebook and sledge them.”

Mr Winters told the Southern Star the owner of the cafe had told him a “woman drove past in a blue car, taking photographs of the shop” which had made her worry for the safety of her staff.

Mr Winters is hopeful to reach 700 signatures for the petition by Friday, July 13.

Sheena Turnbull wrote: “So sorry that happened to you, I hope you reported (it) to police. Here’s to better days at your lovely cafe.”

There has been a community meeting to discuss the impact on residents and wildlife in the area.

Gina Irwin added: “I have nothing but good things to say about this awesome little cafe. Each person experiences things differently so perhaps this person did not have a positive encounter at That Little Place but to pursue it so far …? Really makes you wonder about the agenda of the reviewer. That being said I had my petition filled and delivered weeks ago.”

Katherine X Dickerson wrote: “For the entirety of her stint as owner of TLP, Lisa has always been fair and welcoming to anyone posting anything on our notice board, regardless of affiliation or political leanings.

It’s unfair and really unsavoury that people would see fit to try and tarnish the reputation of this fantastic, friendly meeting place for all the wonderful locals, especially as this issue is not even based on the food, coffee or service provided. Allowing someone to post a petition in your store at their request is not the same as endorsing whatever issue the petition represents.

There has been backlash over a Mt Gravatt East townhouse development which the developer hasn't even submitted a development application to Brisbane City Council.

“Regardless, this could have stimulated some healthy discussion about our suburb and where it’s residents would like to see it go. Unfortunately, it hasn’t turned out that way. Everyone is allowed to have their own opinion. Resorting to online bullying, and spamming the TLP Facebook page with unsavoury comments and foul language if you don’t agree with someone else’s opinion is absolutely unnecessary and is only something an immature, classless person would resort to.

“Lisa, I’m with you. That you have to deal with such abhorrent behaviour, especially that which you’ve mentioned above, is absolute nonsense.”

Lisa has not reported the harassment to police.