Country Woodfired Pizzas have been ordered to close

The popular Friday night pizza service at Glenburn has been ordered by Murrindindi Shire Council to close.

More than 100 pizzas are served each Friday night to local Glenburn residents, and Melba Hwy motorists taking a roadside refreshment/safety break.

Owners Justine and Damien Baker received a ‘cease trading’ letter from Karen Girvan of the Murrindindi Shire Council Planning Unit.

“Since 2013 we have traded from this site and suddenly the shire have decided we aren’t permitted to trade as a take-away food premises.,” Justine and Damien Baker told The Local Paper.

“We are a Yea family who employ staff from around Yea and Kinglake (Murrindindi Shire). This is our livelihood , a consistent income we have had for the past six years and we have been given four weeks notice to cease trading.

“We have abided by Vic Roads ruling with regards to signage. We abide by every shire health regulation, We are a safe site as we offer a large carpark area for people to pull off the highway with boats, caravans, and trailers.

“We offer a rest stop for many visitors to the area, a place to stretch their legs, walk their dog and sometimes even get their horses out.

“This site was formerly a pub that served takeaway alcohol. This site has permits with the shire in regards to the rebuilding of a pub. There is a service station just meters away that trade in take away foods, this service station is soon to be expanding.

“Other food traders like coffee, salami and egg sellers have joined in on our amazing success at this site and subsequently put us in the negative spotlight as they trade sometimes three times a week with multiple signs up and down the Melba Hwy.

“We serve in excess of 100 pizzas every Friday night which equates to many people taking a break from traffic or needing a power nap.,” Mr and Mrs Baker said.

The Bakers say they have spoken with Eildon MLA Cindy Mcleish, who suggested an approach to King Parrot Ward Councillor Eric Lording.

“Eric took this matter to CEO Craig LLoyd. However Craig needs to know how many people are there to support us.”

The Bakers are asking that local people send emails to Mr Lloyd to show how much this service is needed.”

The letter from Murrindindi Council reads:

“You have been trading as a take away food premises on the above property.

“This property is in the Rural Activity Zone, and the use of the land for a takeaway food premises such as yours is prohibited under the Murrindindi Planning Scheme.

“This letter is to advise you that the owner of the property has been notified that the use of the land for this purpose must cease by March 25, 2019, and that should the use continue beyond this date, other action will be investigated.

“Please note: all vendors that have operated from this site are being made
aware of this matter.

“As the use for take away food is prohibited Council does not have an option for allowing it to continue. There may be alternative sites in the Glenburn area where the use could be allowed on a temporary basis. This could include the old CFA site or the Glenburn Roadhouse.

“You have been given an extended time to stop the use on this land in order to investigate other opportunities in the immediate area.
If you have any questions please contact Melissa Crane,” said the letter signed by Karen Girvan of the Council’s Planning Unit.