By Jaidyn Kennedy
The developers of The Grove estate in Tarneit have confirmed that the estate’s much loved Little Growling Cafe will be demolished.
The future of the cafe came to prominence last week when Wyndham councillor Josh Gilligan successfully called for council officers to produce a report assessing the the viability of rezoning and potentially acquiring the 180 Davies Road site to prevent the cafe’s demolition
In a statement Fraser Property Group acknowledged that it “appreciates that many locals love the cafe” but the plan to demolition it still stood.
“The Little Growling Cafe was established as a temporary measure and funded by the developer to help foster early community connection and provide early delivery of amenity – until the further retail amenity could be delivered,” a Fraser spokesperson said.
“The new 8000 square metre The Grove Shopping Centre will be within 600m of the cafe’s current location and will begin construction in the coming months with completion due in 2026. The centre will provide a full line Woolworths supermarket and 20 retail and speciality stores including a cafe.
“As per the original approved plan/masterplan as the centre becomes operational, the cafe at The Grove sales centre will close with services provided at the new centre.”
In a statement on Facebook Cr Gilligan said “I want to be clear – this isn’t just a cafe”.
“It is a meeting place for families and Tarneit residents because our state planning system has failed them. We’re sick of rows and rows of housing and nothing else.”
Councillor Robert Szaktowski, in whose ward the cafe is located, said he was waiting on the officers report and keeping an “open mind”.
“We have an open space policy and we are short on open spaces,” he said.
“So when opportunities come up to secure open space for the public we should seriously consider it.”
Cr Szatkowski said he had spoken extensively with the owners of the cafe.
“It’s always been known [to them] it wasn’t a long term prospect.
“They are not advocating for this specifically to stay, but nonetheless they put a lot of effort into it and if they were able to stay there they would appreciate this.”
He said that there is a lot more to play out and other fiscal needs to be considered, but council acquiring the stite was still worth considering.
“I have no issue with council owning assets, but it has to be in the best interest of the public.
“At the end of the day it is just a political ploy, but not necessarily one I disagree with because we need the open spaces.”
