Cafe warns of dangerous alfresco

A Bunbury CBD cafe cannot use its alfresco area after Bunbury City Council works left it with a “dangerous drain” and a steep slope.

Victoria Street underwent improvements in mid-2013 to create a better environment for patrons, but instead left Sears Cafe with two 15cm drains and a slope which drops 250mm over just two metres.

The council has defended the drains saying similar units are used across Australia, but proprietor Grant Trivett said the drains had caused injuries.

“The drain is the biggest problem, we’ve had two people trip on it, ” he said

“One cut their finger and the other received a bruise – I even sent an email with a picture of the finger to the council.”

Mr Trivett said he had to contact the council more than once regarding the issue until someone was sent to assess the issue.

“They have acknowledged my email and said they would try and do something about the drain but we can’t get them to commit to anything, ” he said.

City of Bunbury director of works and services Phil Harris said the council was aware of Mr Trivett’s concerns.

“The stormwater pits were existing prior to the works being undertaken on Victoria Street, ” he said.

“These have not been modified as they are an integral component of storm water management extending up as far as the Recreation Ground.”

However Mr Trivett said the drains were not a hazard before the council extended the cafe’s alfresco area over what was a carpark.

“It was a carpark before, now it’s an eating area — that’s when it became a problem, ” he said.

“It’s not as if they need to be there – the openings aren’t used any more because everything is underground.”

Mr Trivett acknowledged the council was busy but urged it to fix the situation before someone was seriously hurt.

“We’ve paid for a licence to use the alfresco area but we still can’t use most of it, ” he said.

“People can’t sit down without a coffee falling off the table.

“We’ve been through our busiest time and people can’t come in because it’s too dangerous.”