Council & Business
26 October, 2023
Application for Maryborough drive-through coffee shop approved by council
Maryborough locals could soon get their daily caffeine fix without leaving their cars, as a new drive-through coffee shop is getting ready to set up in town. The empty lot on 65 High Street — previously used as a car yard — is gearing up to be...
Maryborough locals could soon get their daily caffeine fix without leaving their cars, as a new drive-through coffee shop is getting ready to set up in town.
The empty lot on 65 High Street — previously used as a car yard — is gearing up to be transformed into a one-of-a-kind coffee joint after Central Goldfields Shire councillors unanimously moved a motion to grant a permit to the venture at Tuesday’s council meeting.
According to the report tabled at the meeting, while the application received two objections, the proposed development was deemed to be appropriate — with its approval subject to a total of 27 conditions.
Lodged on May 19, the proposal for the drive-through shop, as noted in the report, suggests accessing the site from two separate entrances as it fronts both High Street, from where pedestrian access is proposed, and Clarendon Street where all vehicle and drive through access is proposed — with cars expected to turn left in and left out after going around the shop.
Two parking spaces are set to be provided on site and the proposed driveway will accommodate up to six vehicles queuing up to the ordering station within the shop, which will be operated out of a modified shipping container located centrally, according to the report.
During the consultation phase, the application received two objections including concerns about the viability of another food business in the area, the potential financial impact and loss of sale on current local food businesses around the site, the impact on street parking as well as possible traffic congestion issues.
In response to the objections, the report states that according to the planning officer, any potential financial impact on individual owners is not considered a valid planning consideration and that council’s infrastructure department has noted that the surrounding road network can accommodate the expected traffic movements, with on-street parking not likely to be impacted either.
"When I first saw this application I personally thought we don’t need another coffee shop in town — upon reviewing the application further and hearing from both the applicant and the objectors, I am satisfied that [it is appropriate],” Cr Wayne Sproull said.
Prior to this week’s council meeting, the team behind the coffee shop’s development presented their case to the councillors and according to Cr Geoff Lovett, it was an impressive presentation.
“I felt the concept was extremely well thought through, [the proponents] had done their homework and answered all the questions that councillors posed,” he said.
“On the other hand, [I have] had a nagging doubt about the traffic flow and potential problems this proposal will bring. Clarendon Street is a high traffic flow area — if [the shop lets cars] enter from the town hall end, and can only do a left hand turn in and a left hand turn out that will alleviate some of the problems but in my mind there will still be potential congestion.
“Having said that, I think [the proponents] will bring something different to the hospitality sector here in Maryborough — the public might be pleasantly surprised at what will happen to a dead area, which hasn’t been used for 15 or 20 years.”
One of the people behind the development of the shop is Samuel Ayre, co-partner of the business, working alongside former Maryborough local Pat Cummins — Mr Ayre also currently operates a coffee van in Bendigo as well as another coffee roasting facility in Daylesford with Mr Cummins.
“Even though a drive-through is a very new project for us, coffee is something that I’ve been really passionate about,” Mr Ayre said.
“I’m excited to start working on this new Maryborough addition. We understand that there’s tradies coming to town early in the morning with the new hospital coming up and nothing is open before 8 am so we also have the opportunity to serve the community at an earlier time — we’re looking at offering cafe quality coffee with added convenience.
“There’s also a local connection here with Pat. He went to Highview College and played junior footy in town so he wanted to give back to the community as well and I was thrilled with the idea of bringing something like this to a smaller regional place.”
Expected to be called ‘Smooth Street’, the drive-through coffee shop will open early next year and Mr Ayre said it would benefit the local economy.
“We’re aiming to get it open by January and once we start building I’ll also start taking interviews because I’d like to get a full crew of about 10 to 12 staff, from Maryborough itself,” he said.
“I only want to hire locally — that’s a big thing for us.
“I know there were certain objections and I take those on board too but I’m a small country town person myself and I don’t think we’re going to take any business away from local cafes — we’re not offering what the Daily Dose or the Station is putting out there with their beautiful food, instead we’re catering to the people that are in a rush so we’re serving a whole different niche with great quality delicious food but not with an extensive menu.”
