By Derek Schlennstedt
The Barn Owl Café will stay open, for now.
On 22 July, the Mail reported that The Barn Owl cafe in Silvan was facing closure after Yarra Ranges Council found it was operating illegally in a Green Wedge Zone.
That closure has been postponed, after Council Officers met with owner Katie Wolff on 31 July to discuss alternative options.
Director of Social and Economic Development, James Collins said that “Council officers met with the operators of the Barn Owl Café on Wednesday, 31 July to discuss some planning and building matters”.
“There are a number of complexities with the zoning and use of the land and our staff had good discussions in the meeting with café representatives about potential options for the site,” Mr Collins said.
“Council has no intention to close down the café or take further compliance action while these issues are being resolved.”
“We are committed to giving the café operators time to work through these issues and look forward to continued discussions.”
Over the course of three weeks, a petition to save the café has received 8,802 signatures – all in support of the cafe.
On a post to Facebook, the Barn Owl Cafe thanked everyone for their support, and said they will continue to work with council to resolve the issue.
“We aren’t going anywhere anytime soon (for now),” stated the Facebook post.
“We are working with the council to resolve this whole situation and they have full support of the situation.”
“Thank you all again for all of your support – it’s been amazing and we can’t wait to continue this incredible journey we are on with all of you.”
