The Cakes by Rach cafe in Port Kembla may be able to continue trading after the first step in an application to have the site rezoned was approved by Wollongong City Council. Photo: Shaneqwa Lee-Edwards.
A popular cafe may be able to continue to trade after a long-running feud with Wollongong City Council.
Cakes By Rach on Military Road in Port Kembla was first ordered to close in early 2024.
The area is zoned exclusively residential, although the site does have consent to operate as a neighbourhood shop.
Owner Rachel Weekes pushed back, supported by passionate and loyal customers.
A year later she submitted a planning proposal request for the site’s permitted uses to include the operation of a restaurant or cafe.
The proposal received a mixed response from the wider community.
Councillor Ann Martin said she was singled out for criticism by “gutless” supporters of the business.
“There is a person from Berkeley who went to quite some effort to insinuate I had a conflict of interest because I was [formerly] a director of the Servo Food Truck Bar,” she said.
“For those who might not understand the difference between a bar and cafe, a bar serves alcohol, a cafe does not.
“Not only did they make a formal accusation against me, they were infinitesimally gutless because they did not sign it.
“Frankly we aren’t paid enough and it is very stressful as a local resident to take that kind of criticism.
“I support this proposal going to NSW Parliament because this is clearly a much-loved business.”
Cr Ann Martin was not alone in her support.
Councillors voted unanimously to approve the proposal, the first step in a lengthy process to rezone the site.
Several councillors expressed serious reservations over the decision, however.
“This smells like an arbitrary spot rezone,” Councillor David Brown said.
“The arguments to support it are reasonably flimsy and it sets a precedent where we will have to defend this flimsy decision.
“[The council] will have to develop an additional uses change policy, because I’m pretty sure we will get more applicants if this is successful.”
Although Cakes by Rach is beloved by many customers, the original order to close was spurred by complaints from residents affected by the noise and additional traffic around the cafe.
Councillor Linda Campbell said those concerns were raised again when the planning proposal was put out for public comment.
“This has been an incredibly divisive issue that has gone on for a long time,” she said.
“People have the expectation local government will be as flexible and understanding as possible for them and straight down the line when it comes to their neighbour.
“For the people who have identified a whole range of issues in the local area, such as the impact on traffic, pedestrian crossings and sight lines, you will potentially have another two opportunities to make sure those issues are addressed as part of this process.”
If Cakes By Rach – which also has a location on Keira Street in Wollongong – is successful in changing the zoning of the site, the new zoning will continue to apply if the site is sold.
Councillor Dan Hayes said supporters of the business might not have considered the full consequences of the rezoning.
“A number of comments were about the enjoyment of this particular business,” he said.
“That’s not what a planning proposal looks at.
“Will this place be suitable for this particular use now and in five, 10, 15 years’ time, potentially with a very different business model and very different trading hours?
“I urge people to really think about what they are supporting, or not, for the long term on this site.”
Original Article published by Zoe Cartwright on Region Illawarra.
