Trigg: customers stand by Yelo in stoush with City of Stirling

REGULARS have defended Yelo cafe in Trigg, which is embroiled in a legal dispute with the City of Stirling.

Customers were lined out the door for their morning coffee this morning when news emerged the cafe could face fines understood to be up to $1 million.

The popularity of the cafe has resulted in residents complaining about traffic and parking issues in surrounding streets, with large ‘no parking’ signs lining nearby footpaths and median strips.

The City of Stirling receives about 11 complaints each month regarding parking near the cafe.

Stirling health and compliance manger Peter Morrison said Yelo had a takeaway planning approval for this site, which was granted by the City on April 24, 2003.

“The approval is subject to various conditions including the following use being limited to a corner store function and all food and drink to be offered in a takeaway form only with no table service to be provided,” he said.

“The use of the veranda is limited to no more than 20 persons and five tables.”

Mr Morrison said the City understood the cafe was a “valuable asset for the Trigg area” and for locals.

“Regardless of this the City cannot put aside the local residents and how the operations of Yelo impact on their amenity,” he said.

In 2012, Yelo submitted an application to change their approval but it was refused by the City due to increased patronage and a carparking shortfall.

“This (legal) action was only taken after many years of trying to work with the owners and getting them to comply with their current permitted use,” Mr Morrison said.

“Complaints are regularly received from nearby residents and the City has a legal obligation to address those concerns.”

We asked Yelo customers what they thought of the news Rob Prong (Karrinyup resident): “I think we are a bit of a nanny state here, it’s too overregulated. Yelo is an Trigg and North Beach icon, I’d say 99 per cent of the people that come here are Stirling ratepayers. “Mike (owner Michael Pond) is providing that everyone uses, the neighbours, everyone that lives in the area. We love it here it is a community hub; I’ve met so many people here over the years. I’ve made some fantastic friends just from bringing the dogs down in the mornings and talking to people.” Ross Wilson (Carine resident): “I’ve been coming to Yelo for six years, since it opened up. Mike (owner) has done a great job; I’ve met lots of friends here over the years. “Everyone is friendly here, the staff all have smiles on their faces at 6.30 in the morning, it really is a great atmosphere. The City of Stirling is pushing to get all this business with the redevelopment in Scarborough and yet here we’ve got the perfect thing, it’s just for locals. “It’s a place for everybody in the community and that’s what we need, I don’t know why they are trying to knock it on the head.” Chad Wood (Innaloo resident): “I think (City of Stirling) are trying to get some money from somewhere it’s not their fault that people want to come and eat and have coffee at their establishment. I live in Innaloo and walk the dog up the coast; I do not see why they are going for them. “Maybe (City of Stirling) are looking to help pay off the Scarborough redevelopment a little quicker?”