Locavore Studio cafe: fight to save Lilydale mural continues

A much-loved artwork on the side of a Lilydale eatery has survived an order for its removal. But Yarra Ranges Council wants it changed, sparking anger from the artist and business owner.

Locavore Studio owner Jessie Crossley and artists Paul and Georgie Sonsie want the mural to stay as it is.

The fight to keep a widely-loved mural on the side of a Lilydale business continues, with Yarra Ranges Council allowing it to stay if the lettering is removed from the design.

But the requirement has been labelled “stupid” by the business owner and artist, and may not even be possible because of the complexity of the design.

The council’s request for the art on the side of Main St cafe Locavore Studio to be painted over by September 22 was put on hold after more than 2300 people signed a petition against the move.

Locavore Studio owner Jessie Crossley and artists Paul and Georgie Sonsie want the mural to stay as it is.

The mural, which was put up without a permit, was ordered to be removed because it conflicted with the State Government’s heritage planning controls while the council had received complaints about it.

But the council revealed there was an option for the mural to stay permanently — if the prominent lettering reading “Locavore” was removed from the design.

Yarra Ranges acting director of social and economic development Greg Box said the council had received advice a “repainted surface” on the wall of the building could fit within the requirements of the planning scheme.

But he said the “size and prominence of the business name” in the particular design was “inappropriate” and would need to be removed.

The word ‘Locavore’ is prominent in the mural’s design.

Locavore Studio owner Jessie Crossley said while she was relieved the piece could stay — the aim behind it was to bring colour and vibrancy to the township — she was annoyed about the request to change the design.

“It’s a bit stupid, really,” she said.

Ms Crossley said she had been advised a nearby business had complained the business name was too large, which put her business at an unfair advantage.

“I feel like the rent that we pay should justify us using that wall as we see fit,” she said.

She said the word “Locavore” also wasn’t the full business name, and wasn’t all about advertising.

“The word has greater meaning than the business name,” she said.

The mural is on the side of a cafe on Lilydale’s main street.

The mural’s artist, Paul Sonsie, said it was a “crazy” request.

“It’s just so stupid,” he said. “It’s definitely not fair.”

He said the mural was artwork — not advertising.

“It’s not just a sign,” he said. “And the word ‘Locavore’ means to eat local.”

And he said even if it was considered as advertising, other businesses’ advertising in the township was much bigger.

Mr Sonsie said he wasn’t even sure the black writing could be removed from the mural because of the complexity of the design and the variety of colours.

He said he would continue to fight to save the integrity of the work and was very hesitant to change it.

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“I strongly feel that it makes no sense,” he said.

“It’s probably not going to happen. I do not want to take out those letters.”

Ms Crossley has applied for a permit to keep the work with the lettering removed, but negotiations with the council continue.

Mr Box said the council supported creativity and would not take further compliance action on its previous request for the mural’s removal while the new application was considered.