By Alesha Capone
The owner of a popular restaurant says that his business will continue operating well into the future, despite a planning application to build a service station at its Hoppers Crossing site being lodged with Wyndham council.
DiCaprio Family Restaurant owner and manager Elie Touma said the eatery has been located in Derrimut Road for about 20 years.
Wyndham council recently received a planning application for a two-lot subdivision of the site, including development of a service station, food and drink premises and drive-through convenience restaurant.
Mr Touma, who is a tenant of the site, said the planning application had “nothing to do with me”.
He said the restaurant’s landlord was looking to potentially sell the property.
Mr Touma said that DiCaprios would continue operating from the site until he was told otherwise and if the restaurant was forced to move from its Derrimut Road location, he planned to re-establish DiCaprios at another site close-by.
“We’re part of the community, we’ve been here a long time – we’re almost part of the furniture,” Mr Touma said.
He said the restaurant has been inundated with queries from customers, concerned the restaurant might shut down, since a sign advertising the planning application had been erected on Derrimut Road.
He said the restaurant’s management and staff were “very appreciative” to the customers for their kind words.
Wyndham council has received 25 objections to the planning application since April 7.
The application is also seeking the creation and alteration of access to a Category 1 road.
