Murrindindi Shire Council has created another public relations disaster … this time with its Planning Unit’s Karen Girvan ordering a Yea district couple to cease selling wood-fired pizzas from a van at the old Glenburn Hotel site.

Within hours of The Local Paper breaking the story online on Wednesday (Mar. 13), more than 280 local people signed an online petition calling on Murrindindi Shire CEO Craig Lloyd to intervene.

Limestone couple Justine and Damien Baker have been told by letter by Ms Girvan that they must cease selling pizzas at the Glenburn Hotel site by Monday (Mar. 25).

Local residents were quick to respopnd to a change.org petition organised by Tony Bloomfield.

Almost all petitioners were critical of the Murrindindi Council as they explained why they were supporting the petition:

• Shirley McLeish said: “They’re not doing any harm.They make the best pizzas and they are beautiful people.”

• Shellie Drysdale: “They are a nice family and it’s really handy for us to get a pizza on the way home on a Sunday evening.”

• Jenny Petersen: “I have been eating Justine and Speedy’s pizzas since they bought the buisness many years ago. They do such a great service to people. There pizzas are amazing. Let them stay at Glenburn; they’re feeding people and also making them stop for a break. Well done Justine and Speedy.”

• Shaun Harry: “It needs to stay. Once again council against business.”

• Gloria Van Der Laan: “Who doesn’t love a good food truck? When the pub burnt down there’s now a big empty space … long way between Yea and the Yarra Valley eateries.”

• Christine Wrest Smith: “How very bureaucratic and un-Australian. Let these people get on with their successful business which is enjoyed within the local community.”

• Lynette Sommer: “Just give them the permit!”

• Ben Lythgo: “I believe it to be a fantastic cause and they are great people! I’m looking forward to getting down there one Friday night to enjoy some pizza in the future!”

• Sue Daniel: “What serious harm do these people cause? It gets people to take a break while travelling which is good.”

• Cags Ross: “Have to give small business a fair go.”

n Beverley Pritchett: “Council has given no reason to close this needed asset to our community.”

• Karen Mays: “Blargh at the Shire.”

• Michelle Rogers: “Have we all gone mad? Are the Council constantly looking to suppress business and ways to make everything complicated?”

• Troy Nutter: “These businesses offer a good services to both Murrin-dindi shire residents and passers- through. I fail to see why the shire is not making a way for them to continue this service uninterrupted and without loss for operators and customers.”

• Chris Dwelly: “This is our favorite place to stop for a quick bite to eat Friday night on our way to Jamieson from Melbourne. Always a friendly spot to break up the drive! It will be disappointing if the council puts anend to our favourite pizza spot!”

• Marshall Ryan: “Not doing any harm! Love the pizzas. Fills the gap in absence of a decent pub or eatery. The locals want this service to continue. Council need to take a more holistic view.”

• Jodie F: “It’s a great stop for breaking up my long drive with food and drinks for the family. It’s becoming our regular break so please don’t make them disappear as we need them.”

• Tamara Slabon: “Damien and Justine have put so much into this business and have developed a regular trade at this venue of both locals and tourists. If the pub doesn’t feel they are taking away from their businees then what good reason is there to prevent them trading here?”

• Marlane Clark: “There’s absolutely no reason why they shouldn’t be allowed to keep trading!”

• Chris Curry: “I believe they should be allowed to continue what’s now become a tourist destination.”

• Alida Dickens: “What they are doing is great.”

• Jo Kilpatrick: “These guys are great for the local area and provide a wonderful service for a stop, rest and eat on long journey.”

• Anne Bell: “Damien and Justine provide a service to the community, and those visiting by encouraging them to stop, have a rest, grab some food and drink before heading off again. Arrive Alive, remember?”

• Ross Treharne: “It’s good tucker and great for the community to have these facilities at functions.”

• Simon Crowther: “We go here as a family weekly. We live in Kinglake and have nothing like this quality food where we live. Please don’t take it away.”

• Liese Johnston: “These guys are amazing and as an interstate visitor always look forward to dropping.in and grabbing those amazing donuts and coffee.”

• Erin Papadopoulos: “I believe our local council has got this decision wrong. These two local families have been working hard, earning an honest living, and I cannot understand why the council has done this.”

• Sarah Austin: “There is no reason to cease this. Great for people to stop in and have some social contact.”

• Rodney Carbis: “There only trying to make a living, done everything right ,no cars parked on road.”

• Brigitte Maran: “I believe the Shire has made the wrong decision.”

• Sara McLoughlin: “It’s a great family environment, something the kids look forward to. Such loving and caring owners. Taken this away will hinder a lot of things, examples of a rest stop for people, somewhere to get something to eat before continueing on their journey to or from Melbourne. It keeps the friendly country atmosphere alive.”

• David Wareham: “Council have lost the plot.”

• Claire Davidson: “Utterly disgusting treatment of well known members of the community. They are usually the first locals who interact with city travellers and I cannot think of anyone better than the Baker family to welcome outbound tourists to our area. Murrindindi SC, your name is mud. It will continue to be so until your merry band of twits grow a brain.”

• Marlien Visser/Marchant: “It’s sad to hear this, what are the big knobs thinking? Oh they aren’t thinking, they just want to destroy something that is working so well, and providing a much needed break to enjoy a good cuppa and a bite to eat. Come on, it’s time you took your blinkers off and start seeing what a great service this is.. We will not let you destroy them.. We will do everything in our power to keep them going. If you removed them we will starve and dehydrate.”

• Bec Buscombe: “A great stop and service for Friday night dinner especially for the weekly trips to Buller. A great community hub and setup for locals and the weekly city slickers coming through on a Friday evening. Hopefully the decision makers carefully consider community values.”

• Matthew Tomlinson: “Best pizza around and from being there for so long. The council want to change things for no good reason. You would think they would keep them trading to bring money into different areas but clearly not.”

• Clare Darcy Evans: “It’s a valued place to stop off with locals or passers by.”

• Nick Seymour: “ Don’t let the fun police destroy local culture.”

• Chelsea McLeish: “They have the best pizza I have ever tasted and the town would be lost without them.”

• Judy Darcy Evans: “This is just a gripe against people of Flower-dale as we have no other good shops or happy people as we are all suffering since the fires of 2009.”

• Christine Tomlins: “You do a fantastic job,best pizzas and it’s wrong for the council to alter things after all these years.”

• Katherine Johnson: “As a local I have a vested interest in saving these local businesses. I am disgusted by the shires decision!”

• Sally Dean: “It’s a great place to stop and have a break. What is the reason given to cease trading?”

• Kerry Brookes: “Local businesses need support not disruption. If someone has a complaint let them speak up … area always left neat and tidy.”

• Peter Thompson: “Shires/councils are not a third tier of Government…Referendum Sept ’88! Besides it should be a fair go for anyone with a “can do” attitude to making a living! We are in Australia aren’t we? Make Shire employees responsible for their shit decisions – then we’ll see a change in their attitudes!”

• Amanda Nott: “Good Take Away is hard to find! These guys do an amazing job! Providing locals and drivers with a safe spot to stop!

Local Paper readers
have their say

Local Paper readers were fast to voice their disapproval at Murrindindi Shire Council’s move to have Justine and Damien Baker cease trading at Glenburn.

• Julie Welch : “Another example of stupid rules.”

• David Palmer: “Just plain stupid!”

• Daniel Power: “Absolutely ridiculous.”

• Katherine Briggs Johnson: “Another reason to be disgusted with our shire!”

• Ross Treharne: “The trouble is Karen Girvan. That’s all it comes down to.”

• Tracey-Ann Chriscoli: “Why does it matter to anyone? It’s safe, organised, approved, , not bothering anyone. For gods sake, Council, get a …ken life. Oh, the Council mustn’t be making enough money out of it.”
“Shit like this really gets on my goat. Good people trying to get by, and some f–ker has to come along and be the fun police. I don’t know these people, I don’t even live on that side of the mountain, but I’m pissed.”

• Jim Irons: “It is probably because the servo is expanding and it wants you gone.”

• Jacki Marcon-Green: “Same happened to hamburger van on Hume Highway just out of Wallan. Servo upgrade put paid to that business that operated for over 40 years.”

• Troy Nutter: “It would seem they have forgotten that they are public servants, not dictators of the public. This is not the only area they have over stepped this mark. Thankfully this statement does not apply to all staff and members at the shire.”

• Paul J. Bannan: “Once again, the Murrindindi Shire is proving it is out of touch and heavy handed. I have to question whether the Shire has received some form of complaint from the other take away business a short distance up the road.”

• Julie Bateman: “So why now when been operating for long time there. Something not adding up here. Why shut down a business who employs people in shire?

• Judy D’Arcy-Evans: “Our only bit of fun and as if we have any shops around here and if you happen to be agrophobic and can’t even drive to Yea to get a pizza, well let’s all have F … All .. Mr Fun ? police.”

• Stephen Dickson: “Typical Murrundindi council just no idea what the community wants!”

• Robby Jay: “If it’s in the planning scheme, perhaps get some legal advice to see if it’s worth taking the Council to VCAT. Unfortunately writing letters of support won’t do much.”