Wednesday, 13 November 2024

Miss Lacey Cafe and Wine Bar

Sonja TERPSTRA (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (18:09): (1275) My adjournment matter this evening is directed to the Minister for Transport Infrastructure in the other place. The action I seek is for the minister to provide clarity on the issue of fencing outside the Miss Lacey Cafe and Wine Bar in Croydon. It is important that the full picture is shared with the community as there appears to have been some misunderstanding around the source of the recent changes affecting the outdoor dining space.

Miss Lacey Cafe and Wine Bar is a valued destination in the North-Eastern Metropolitan region, drawing both locals and visitors to enjoy its offerings. However, it has come to my attention that recent comments in the other place misrepresented the situation, suggesting that the Level Crossing Removal Project work had interfered with the cafe’s fencing. In reality the Maroondah City Council have confirmed that they do not want the permanent fencing which was previously situated outside the cafe, indicating that the cafe would need to discuss any such plans for fencing directly with the council. The Level Crossing Removal Authority’s design team are working with the local council, the Croydon Main Street Traders Association and the Miss Lacey Cafe and Wine Bar to understand whether any changes can be made to the outdoor dining area, including the possibility of movable fencing. The Level Crossing Removal Authority are working closely with the Miss Lacey Cafe and Wine Bar and other local businesses to support them while they work on removing the dangerous level crossing and roundabout at Coolstore Road, Croydon.

Given this context, I ask the Minister for Transport Infrastructure to clarify these details on the record so that the community can have a clear understanding of the issue, including Maroondah City Council’s role in the decision and the efforts of the Level Crossing Removal Authority to support a viable outcome. It is disappointing that the member for Croydon contorted the facts on this matter, and I hope that moving forward we can collectively work towards a solution that serves both the cafe and the community.