Tha Yanchep Lagoon cafe.
Camera IconTha Yanchep Lagoon cafe. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Yanchep Lagoon cafe operator welcome, Wanneroo council decides

Lucy JarvisNorth Coast Times

CITY of Wanneroo councillors have rejected a petition to reinstate the previous operator of the Yanchep Lagoon cafe.

A report at the February 7 council meeting agenda responded to a petition submitted by councillor Nat Sangalli on behalf of the former operators.

“The petition requests that council overturn its previous decision in order to reinstate the previous operator,” the report said.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Sue and Peter Morgan had sub-let the site from November 2007 until late last year and objected when the council canned plans to provide a five-year lease in September.

Instead, it decided to invite expressions of interest for a six-month lease while it held a strategic review of the site.

After putting in expressions of interest, the Morgans and Hillarys-based Orion Cafe owner Bernardo Alalid took up the City’s invitation to submit formal proposals, with the latter granted a lease that will end on May 8.

“From a property management perspective Orion was prepared to pay full commercial rental and displayed willingness to adopt a progressive relationship with the City,” the February 7 report said.

“As Orion was at the time an unknown quantity, administration undertook detailed research and due diligence, including an inspection of Orion’s Westfield business along with obtaining a positive verbal reference from the Westfield retail manager.

“To date, all dealings with Orion have been appropriate and the upgraded premises appears to be providing a quality food and beverage service to residents and tourists alike.

“Feedback from residents and social media has also been extremely supportive.”

The report said comments on the petition also objected to the food van option, which has ceased, and called for the cafe to remain open.

“As the premises currently remains open and is being run successfully, administration recommends no further action be taken,” it said.

According to the report, in October the City received a State Administrative Tribunal application from the Morgan Family Trust trading as Yanchep Lagoon Beach Cafe.

It sought an urgent injunction preventing the City from removing them from the premises and compensation for “unconscionable conduct” by the City.

“The City’s lawyer appeared before the SAT and it was agreed that the SAT had no jurisdiction to hear the application,” the report said.

Councillors unanimously supported the recommendation not to support the petition, without discussion, on February 7.

ALSO READ: Yanchep Lagoon cafe decision prompts anger