A LONG-SERVING cafe in Cockburn Central will be forced to close next week after being handball between local and state government departments.
Container-based cafe Mooba Cockburn has been at 20 Linkage Avenue since owner Mark Dillon answered an expression of interest from Development WA predecessor Landcorp in 2013.
Mooba was “the first business there”, according to Mr Dillon, but quickly became a “central hub” for coffee drinkers in the surrounding businesses and suburbs.
“It was designed to activate this little park and brand-new suburb called Cockburn Central, so we actually created it, and it was an amazing space,” Mr Dillon said.
“People moved there and Mooba was already there.”
After five years, Mr Dillon was placed on a month-to-month lease.
• Mooba owner Mark Dillon and staff need a new home for their cafe.
The land was then sold to developers SKS group, as well as the building across the road, and Mr Dillon reckons the “initial” plan was for him to move there to continue to “activate the park”.
“In June [this year] I got notified that one building was taking too long, the other one needed to be brought forward to meet the requirements of the sale of the land, so they needed to give me my three months’ notice [for the end of August],” Mr Dillon said.
“They explained to me that the development had changed and they can’t do anything about it, other than offer full support in trying to relocate the containers… I approached the council, but they said the date at the end of August was not firm.
“I then found out on August 25…. one of the builders who works on the site across the road contacted a staff member and said, ‘I believe we’re boarding you up next week’.”
It’s been a struggle to find out who to talk to about an alternative location, according to Mr Dillon, from members of council to local member David Scaife.
“I was advised it was too hard because it needed ministerial approval that can take six to 12 months,” Mr Dillon said.
“It would need another expression of interest, and the services aren’t all close at hand.”
Adding to Mr Dillon’s complications, the land’s ownership switched between the council and Landcorp several times before it was purchased by SKS.
He says the council has now tried to wash its hands of the issue by saying it’s in the hands of private enterprise, which he says is “almost offensive” given the council had been involved the whole way through.
According to City of Cockburn sustainable development director Dan Arndt, the City “has never had a direct lease” with Mooba Cafe.
“In August 2012, Landcorp requested a lease over the eastern portion of the property, in order to establish a temporary cafe… the City agreed to that portion of the site being leased, [and] Development WA then subleased that land portion to Mooba Cafe,” Mr Arndt said.
“In May 2019 the property was transferred back to DevelopmentWA… the City has been advised the cafe lease expired at this time and reverted to a monthly extension.
According to a statement by the City, it would “love” to see Mooba remain in Cockburn Central, but it would definitely have to relocate.
“The City’s Health and Building, Planning and Business and Economic Development staff have been communicating with Mr Dillon over the last month to explore potential solutions to support the continuation of his business in Cockburn Central,” the statement read.
“The City has been helping identify other commercial lease and tenancy options in the area, but unfortunately none have suited Mr Dillon’s requirements,” Mr Arndt told the Herald.
by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER