Residents up in arms over controversial proposal for 7/11 in East Brisbane

A controversial development proposal to replace a popular Brisbane city fringe cafe and nursery with a service station has residents up in arms. SEE THE PROPOSAL

A popular Brisbane city-fringe cafe and nursery could be forced to shut after a development proposal was submitted for a new service station.

The proposal, from Start Property Holdings Pty Ltd, to build a new location for service station giant 7/11 at 999 Stanley St East, East Brisbane was submitted to the Brisbane City Council on November 11.

If the project was approved, it would mean popular small businesses – The Smug Fig Cafe and Cottage Garden Nursery – would have to close or relocate.

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That possibility has local residents up in arms with the application receiving more than 50 submissions opposing the proposal within a week, even though the public notification stage has not even started yet.

The Cottage Garden Nursery at East Brisbane set to close after 21 years.

A spokesman for the 999 Stanley Street development said they saw a need for this type of development and believed it would be a positive addition to the area.

“The development complements Council’s intended purpose for the zone by providing the

surrounding area with a small-scale retail fuel operation and convenience outlet,” the spokesman said.

“It has plenty of room to include substantial landscaping to enhance, rather than detract, from its surrounds.”

Most submissions opposing the development believe shutting the two businesses and adding another service station, when there is a BP within 100m of the site, would ruin the character of the area.

The site of the Cottage Garden Nursery and The Smug Fig Cafe.

“This stretch of East Brisbane is a family, suburban area that supports small, local business such as the beautiful nursery and cafe that is currently located on these premises,” one submission on Council’s PD Online website said.

“A service station will detract from the character of the surrounding area. There are beautiful cafes, restaurants and antique shops in the surrounding area making this a unique and desirable suburb of Brisbane.”

Artist impression of the proposed 7/11 service station at East Brisbane. Picture: PD Online

Arron Van Stryp, who co-owns The Smug Fig Cafe with his brother Troy, said the development would mean the end of their business, if it is approved.

He also said they found out about the development when friends and members of the community sent them the proposal.

“Myself and my brother, Troy, were told by our landlord about a month ago that they were selling to a developer which we suspected as they weren’t renewing our lease after several attempts,” he said.

Artist impression of the proposed 7/11 service station at East Brisbane.

“We weren’t told what kind of development.

“What it means is our business is being booted out and The Smug Fig is coming to an end. “We are currently in our fifth year of operation and were wanting to sign on for an extended period as we’ve become ingrained in the community.

“In regards to our feelings about it, I’d prefer not to comment at this stage. We started this business from scratch back in late 2015 and has been a huge part of our lives so I’m sure you can imagine our feelings on the situation.”

Owners of the Cottage Garden Nursery, Kerrie and Paul Van Deurse, said they would be sad to go after 21 years.

Artist impression of the proposed 7/11 service station at East Brisbane.

“We have a long history of operating the nursery on the site, which we own and after 21 years have decided it is time to embrace retirement,” Mrs Van Deurse said.

“We have always known the property had permission for other uses, like the proposed service station.

“We’ll be sad to say goodbye, but we’ve known the developer for many years and trust in them and in the process to develop the property with the needs and consideration of the local area in mind.”

Councillor for Coorparoo Fiona Cunningham (LNP) said all feedback from residents would be considered as part of Council’s standard planning process.