Long Reef Patagonia NB: Future of popular coffee caravan in doubt after hit with tougher council rules
The future of a popular outdoor coffee caravan is in doubt after it was hit with a slew of new tougher rules by a Sydney seaside council reacting to a complaint about tables and chairs.
NSW
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The future of a popular outdoor coffee caravan that was at the centre of a complaint about providing tables and chairs to customers — without council permission — is in doubt after it was hit with a raft of tougher new rules.
Patagonia Northern Beaches, which has been selling food and beverages in Long Reef Headland car park since August last year, is considering packing up.
In June, its owner Xavier Ambrosio, had to remove seating and small tables after Northern Beaches Council received one complaint that the furniture was a danger to the public.
Council rangers told Mr Ambrosio that he had not sought permission for the furniture as part of his one-year agreement to use the car park space.
While he paid more than $6000 for a parking permit, he was not paying an outdoor dining levy to the council.
Mr Ambrosio has removed the seating, offered to pay the outdoor fee and sent the council a request for permission to allow customers to sit next to the van.
But now, a week before his Open Space Mobile Food Permit and Approval to Operate a Mobile Food Vehicle are due to be renewed, he received a notification from the council of new terms and conditions.
He was also told that there would be “stricter enforcement of existing requirements”.
As well as no tables, chair or umbrellas, new measures include removing the van from the car park each evening; providing his own water supply rather than attaching a hose to a public tap and no amplified or live music.
He must also ensure customers do not “queue, loiter or sit” in the car park.
In an email to Mr Ambrosio, the council wrote that while it was “committed to supporting mobile food vendors and encouraging the use of our public open spaces, there are several factors that council needs to balance in the provision and management of mobile food vehicles …”
The factors included nearby food premises, especially those with outdoor dining licences who pay land use fees.
“The Open Space Mobile Food program is still relatively new, and over the past 18 months, we have encountered recurring issues related to noncompliance of the permit conditions,” the council email stated.
“Consequently, there has been considerable negative feedback from our community and an impact on the amenity and condition of our open spaces.
“The Long Reef Headland Car Park is not a cafe or live music venue.”
Mr Ambrosio, who moved to Australia from Argentina six years ago, said he had received community support including more than 600 signatures on a petition calling for the council to allow tables and chairs at the van.
He said a growing number of customers — he sells up to 300 coffees a day on weekends — had been gathering at the caravan to socialise.
“We have been trying to create a welcoming space where locals and tourists can enjoy quality coffee while and getting together and building community spirit,” he said.
But Mr Ambrosio said if the council pressed ahead with the new terms and conditions, he would consider closing the business. He is scheduled to meet with council officers on Thursday.
“I am happy to work with the council to solve any problems,” he said.
“We are part of the community. I am doing this for the community and the council wants what’s best for the community as well.”
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Originally published as Long Reef Patagonia NB: Future of popular coffee caravan in doubt after hit with tougher council rules
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