By Alesha Capone
Point Cook has been named Melbourne’s top suburb for access to social utilities, such as cafes, supermarkets and milk bars.
A new report from the People’s Choice credit union, which ranked more than 470 Victorian locations for affordability and liveability, has crowned Point Cook as having the “best access to social utilities”.
While other suburbs in the west, including Burnside, Seabrook and Sydenham ranked in the overall top 10 for both affordability and liveability, Point Cook hit top spot for social utilities.
People’s Choice spokesperson Stuart Symons said this was because Point Cook is home to 64 liquor licences, the highest number in the report’s top 100 suburbs.
“These licences don’t just represent pubs – they represent cafes, social clubs, sporting clubs, supermarkets, and the milk bars and other businesses that cluster around them,” he said.
“Put simply: if you’re living in Point Cook, you don’t need to travel too far for shops to meet your needs.”
The owner of Pizza Industri in Point Cook, Varun Goswami, said it was a great area to operate in.
Mr Goswami said Point Cook was home to “an abundance of passionate operators and owners, as well as a market that desires a high standard”.
“I love the connections I have been fortunate enough to make with the amazing people in our community all through the act of doing what I love, serving and cooking,” he said.
Mr Goswami said that he felt grateful to have been able to keep his staff employed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone for their support and strength during such uncertain times,” he said.
Bean Smuggler cafe manager Will Krutop said that while the business had seen a “huge drop” in food sales, customer support has been “outstanding” since the pandemic regulations started.
“I’d like to remind people that there has never been a more important time to support small business,” he said.
“Whether it’s a coffee from us or a few craft beers from the boys down the road at Hop Heads, support small business where you can, the little things add up and we want to see this community thrive when this all blows over.”
Mr Krutop said he was surprised by Point Cook’s success in the People’s Choice report.
“We know there is amazing restaurants, cafes and bars out this side of town but I think the stigma still holds that if you want to find the best cafe or eatery you need to head to inner west or the city, I’m hoping this helps change that perception and highlights some of the great things we have happening in our area,” he said.
Susan McIntyre, who created the Point Cook Dining Facebook page, said there was “a wide diversity” of eateries in the area.
“They all offer something different and are spread across the suburb,” she said.
