Glenorie RSL, progress association block proposal for Glenorie Bakery to extend opening hours

A bid to increase the opening hours of The Hills most famous bakery has outraged an RSL and community groups, who suggested the changes would result in ‘public urination and drink driving’.

Glenorie Bakery owner Rob Pirina tried to extend his opening hours.

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A bid to increase the opening hours of The Hills most famous bakery has outraged members of Glenorie RSL and community groups, who suggested the changes would result in ‘public urination and drink driving’.

Glenorie Bakery owner Robert Pirina submitted an application with the Hills Shire Council to extend opening hours of the successful food hotspot, to see the business open from 6am to 10.30pm on Monday to Wednesday, 6am to 12am on Thursday to Saturday and 6am to 10pm on Sundays.

Mr Pirina also sought consent to trade until midnight on six occasions per year during events such as the State of Origin.

Glenorie Bakery owner Rob Pirina bites into the Invictus Pie in Glenorie. Pic: AAP Image / Angelo Velardo

However, his bid to modify opening hours has seen members of Glenorie RSL and Progress Association hit out against the proposal — resulting in the Hills local planning panel rejecting the modification.

Glenorie RSL chief executive Bob Frier said the extension of the operating hours would result in an increase in traffic, noise, lighting and offences such as drink driving and public urination.

“Our submission is not just of a registered club, but in train with the thoughts and concerns of many Glenorie residents,” Mr Frier said. “The applicant cannot be trusted to abide by the trading hours as endorsed by the development consent, so how could the residents of the Glenorie community be satisfied that the applicants would comply now.”

L to R: Mark Hobbs from Beefy's in Queensland and Rob Pirina from Glenorie Bakery in Sydney go head to head for Pie of Origin - a fundraising event Mr Pirina has been involved in for 20 years. Picture: John Appleyard

Glenorie Progress Association member Karen Stephen said the association appreciated the value of the bakery and its commitment to the community, however the “appetite for growth must be balanced against the wider needs of the community”.

Ms Stephen said there was a “need for children in the Glenorie community to sleep on school nights” and members resolved that if opening hours were adjusted to close at 9.30pm Monday to Wednesday, 10.30pm on Thursday and 12am on Friday and Saturday, the association would support the modification.

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A Hills Shire Council officer said Police had no major concerns around suggestions of increased drink driving or public urination offences.

Panel chair Julie Walsh said the development proposed was “generally acceptable” and supported council’s suggestion of a two-year trial period, however the panel was not satisfied that the development as proposed to be modified is “substantially the same development as that originally approved”.

Mr Pirina has submitted a new development application for the modification of business hours.