Help Manu's Bangalow Alimentari

By signing this petition, we collectively urge the Byron Shire Council to overthrow the Stop Work Order and allow Manu to open his Deli in the next two weeks, whilst simultaneously working with Council to provide all the required information to ensure approval of the DA. 

I am yet to meet a person within our community who doesn't know Manu, his wife Rachel and their two beautiful twin girls, Lucia and Paloma. He is first to help our community, whether that be cooking up a feast for his friends and neighbours, helping move furniture (on more than one occasion for me) or just simply stopping for a chat in the street.

Manu and his family have had their fair share of struggles over the years (see article page 21 for context). His dreams of opening a Deli in his beloved community of Bangalow was finally a chance to put their past behind them and work towards a bright future for his girls. Unfortunately, this dream is increasingly becoming just that, a dream.

After searching for over 2 years for the perfect place for Manu's Bangalow Alimentari and he finally found it in April. When he first spoke to Council regarding the approvals required to open he was advised, in writing, that as there had been a food business occupying the shop previously (prior to the last), he would only need to complete a food business registration form and, once the deli was ‘fitted out and ready to go,’ Council would do a pre-operational inspection with the health food officer.

 

 

Based on this written advice, he signed the lease. He quickly commenced works, enthusiastic to open and serve his community the food he loves, a taste from his hometown in Italy.

Only 4 days after commencing the shop fit out, Council received a complaint. This led to a myriad of investigations by Council whom have found out that the previous food business that occupied the premises had been operating unlawfully without obtaining the required DA approval. This revelation contradicts the initial advice provided by Council, whom failed to conduct the necessary due diligence and instead relied on the mere presence of a previous food business to inform their advice. As a result, Manu received a Stop Work Order.

If he was to know that a DA was required, he would have continued to find another suitable shopfront and he wouldn't have invested the tens of thousands of dollars on equipment.

Since then, Manu has been working tirelessly to get a DA approved. This has cost well over $26,000 so far for Town Planners, Engineers, Trades and application fees. This exuberant dollar value, doesn’t even take into account the operational financial loss of not being able to open.

This devastating setback has taken a toll on Manu and his family. Their dreams have been put on hold, leaving them feeling disheartened and trapped in a state of despair.

Now is the time for our community to come together and show our support.

By signing this petition, we collectively urge the Byron Shire Council to overthrow the Stop Work Order and allow Manu to open his Deli in the next two weeks, whilst simultaneously working with Council to provide all the required information to ensure approval of the DA. 

Let's unite our voices and bring hope back into their lives.

If this request is not approved by council, the community of Bangalow may not have an Alimentari. This is the harsh reality we all face.

Let's stand by Manu, Rachel, Lucia, and Paloma, and help them reclaim their dreams. Sign this petition today, and together we can make a difference.