Future of Cooroy cafe Busstop Espresso in balance pending complaint review

A popular Noosa hinterland cafe has been saved for now, following a groundswell of community support and a formal complaint that has been lodged with council.

The Busstop Espresso cafe. Picture: Instagram

A popular Noosa hinterland cafe has been saved for now, following a groundswell of community support and a formal complaint that has been lodged with council.

Cooroy cafe Busstop Espresso will remain open pending the completion of an internal review of a complaint that was submitted to Noosa Council by owners Rob and Beth Noy.

It comes after the council previously ordered the cafe to shut down on its current site at 201 Mary River Rd, Cooroy or relocate by tomorrow February 21, after deciding against granting an operating permit at its Ordinary Meeting on November 16, 2023.

The Busstop Espresso cafe at Cooroy. Picture: Supplied

That decision resulted in Mr Noy launching a petition in a bid to save his cafe, with a digital and paper petition combined attracting over 3000 signatures.

He also lodged a lodged a formal complaint about council’s processes and met with the acting chief executive Larry Sengstock.

Busstop Espresso. Picture: Supplied

“As a result the council initiated a high level internal review and the council have agreed to withhold the enforcing the closure of the bus until the internal review is completed,” Mr Noy claimed.

“This extends the closure of the bus by approximately 10 weeks and depending of the findings may result in the Busstop remaining open permanently.”

Busstop Espresso owners Rob and Beth Noy with staff.

While Mr Noy admitted there is still a long road ahead, he thanked the community for its support of the cafe.

“We express our heartfelt thanks to you for supporting us,” he said.

“This clearly helps council understand the Noosa community’s strong support for what we do and played its part in getting this council review.

“There is still a journey ahead, but this is great news.”

In a statement, Mr Sengstock said the review of the complaint was likely to take several weeks to complete.

“To clarify, the extension for Bus Stop Espresso to continue to operate is only temporary while we complete the internal review, relating to their formal complaint,” he said.

“It is not linked to the council decision made last year, as the operator didn’t file an appeal with Planning and Environment Court within the required appeal period.”

Director of Development and Regulation Richard MacGillivray said Council staff have been trying to work with the owners to explore suitable alternative sites where they can continue to grow their cafe business and concept.

Originally published as Future of Cooroy cafe Busstop Espresso in balance pending complaint review