Residents rail against popular Lion & Buffalo cafe

FANS of the Coogee South cafe will soon be able to lounge for longer in the afternoon sun, after council approved their extended hours and expanded alfescro space. But not everyone is happy about it.

Marie Hogg

2 min read

November 3, 2016 - 12:00AM

Southern Courier

In good weather punters like to chill out in the park adjacent to the cafe.

Southern Courier

Don't miss out on the headlines from Southern Courier. Followed categories will be added to My News.

A POPULAR neighbourhood cafe has been given the green light to expand, defying plans by a handful of neighbours to thwart the small business.

The Lion and Buffalo cafe in South Coogee has won many fans since it first began pouring coffees in August 2015.

But nearby residents have not been so happily seduced.

Randwick City Council has received multiple complaints from concerned neighbours about traffic offences, parking concerns and noise levels generated by the regular stream of punters.

The bitter stoush escalated last week as council approved plans to increase the cafe’s trading hours and up the number of alfresco dining tables.

About 400 people also signed a petition in support of the small business.

Outdoor seats will now swell from 14 to 20, and trading hours will increase to include a dinner service.

Owners Dean and Anna Allison will have a six month trial period as part of strict conditions meted out by council.

“We are very happy with the councillors, for their support and understanding the pressures of a small business,” Mr Allison said.

On weekends customers spill out onto the community green space directly in front of the cafe; Mr Allison even hands out rugs to keen coffee customers.

Candice Tran, Desiree Flech and Pia Kanpmann are big fans of the Lion & Buffalo cafe.

But one neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said the current operations were “already dangerous”.

“The current operations are creating illegal parking by take away coffee customers and delivery trucks, creating potential accident conditions,” she said.

“Why should (Dean) be allowed any extension when he cannot manage his current deliveries.”

Mr Allison said they were “desperately” trying to operate within the conditions of the DA, including a restriction on deliveries after 7am on weekdays and 8am on Saturdays.

“We will try 100 per cent,” he said.

The cafe will also be subject to acoustic tests and council rangers will regularly spot check nearby car parking spots.

“Appropriate supporting evidence (including but not limited to, relevant acoustics measurements) must be provided at the end of these review periods to demonstrate compliance with all conditions of this consent as part to the review,” the council’s resolution said.