Residents show up in effort so save The Local cafe East Geelong parklet

East Geelong locals have prevented council workers from tearing down a cafe structure that has been deemed unsafe.

A year-long dispute between council and a Geelong cafe has come to a head, with community members showing up in a snap protest to prevent workers from pulling down a parklet structure.

The dispute surrounds a small deck that was set up as a temporary measure during the Covid pandemic at The Local cafe on Garden St, but has since become a staple of the venue.

The City of Greater Geelong has demanded the structure be taken down due to safety concerns pointed out in three independent reports.

Cafe owner Ben McLachlan said he was happy to implement recommendations of the reports that could allow him to keep the parklet, and was committed to making it safer.

Ben McLachlan has been in a year long dispute with council to try and keep the parklet at The Local cafe. Picture: Alison Wynd

“I’ve given them everything they’ve asked for,” he said.

The Local’s plight has even garnered the support of Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.

“I understand this matter has been ongoing for some time,” Mr Marles said.

“I hope to see this resolved with an outcome that supports this much-loved local small business while also ensuring the safety of the community.”

City of Greater Geelong acting chief executive Tenille Bradley said council had provided “significant support” to The Local, but deemed the parklet an “unacceptable” risk.

Executive director of city infrastructure James Sirton said proximity to the McKillop St intersection posed a safety risk.

“Community safety is the top priority of the City of Greater Geelong, and we won’t compromise on safety,” Mr Sirton said.

“The permit for the site expired on 31 December last year, and the site is now operating without a permit.”

The parklet at The Local cafe. Picture: Alison Wynd

A handful of workers arrived about 7pm Thursday on council orders to take down the structure.

In an attempt to stop them from pulling it down, the cafe went live on Instagram encouraging people to come and show their support.

Shortly after the call out, about 30 customers showed up, sitting on the parklet to prevent works from taking place.

Inside the cafe, desperate calls were made to a number of councillors in an attempt to end the standoff, with Cheetham ward representative Melissa Cadwell present.

A group of locals showed up to defend the deck.

Emily Maxwell, East Geelong local and customer, said she thought council’s approach was “so wrong”.

“They’ve clearly tried to put in all the right procedures and things,” she said.

Ms Maxwell said she hoped the parklet, ideal for dogs and kids, would stay indefinitely.

City of Greater Geelong trucks on Garden St about 7pm.

Just after 7.45pm, the workers left without communicating to anyone at the scene.

Punters remained behind after the contractors left.

A group of children began making signs from cardboard found in the shop.

One of those was nine-year-old Catherine Smith, who said she would be sad to see the deck go.

“The Local is more than just a part of our community,” Ms Smith said.

A call to action in the cafe’s window.

“We want croissants, not carparks.”

The crowd dissipated just after 9pm.

As of Friday afternoon, Mr McLachlan said he had not been contacted by council, and remained in the dark as to when contractors could show up again.

“I think it would be silly for them to show up again given the support we’ve received over the past 36 hours,” he said.

An online petition to save the parklet, which launched on Friday, already had more than 500 signatures by the afternoon.

Originally published as Residents show up in effort so save The Local cafe East Geelong parklet