General News
7 December, 2023
Little Acorn secures long-term future
THE Little Acorn Café has secured its long-term future with councillors approving a new lease agreement.
Councillors voted at last week’s Ordinary Meeting of Council to voluntarily break the existing lease agreement in favour of a new deal which will keep The Little Acorn at 137 High Street location for the next 21 years.
Council previously had a five-year commercial lease arrangement with Cooinda for the operation of The Little Acorn café which was due to expire in 2026 with no further extension option.
Cooinda had requested the current lease be broken and a new 21-year lease extension signed as the not-for-profit disability service provider is currently undertaking a $450,000 renovation, including a $100,000
investment from council, which will double the existing building size.
In addition, Cooinda also requested a five-year rent-free period, which would result in a loss of $56,000 in council revenue.
Cr Ruth Gstrein spoke in favour of the motion, stating The Little Acorn Café had been a “great outcome” for the site.
“The Little Acorn is a real asset there on the highway and anyone who has been there knows it is a warm, welcoming environment,” she said.
“It’s good to see that Cooinda are taking the step and spending substantial dollars in expanding The Little Acorn and creating another experience with outdoor dining, increased seating, more space and increased hours.
“I think the fact they’re moving their commercial kitchen in to this new extension is going to be just terrific for the clients who work in The Little Acorn – the opportunity it’s going to give them in an inclusive environment can’t be measured.”
Cr Gstrein said the new lease would provide the security needed to justify Cooinda’s decision to invest $350,000 in site renovations, in addition to supporting the rent-free period.
At the conclusion of the rent-free period (year six), the annual lease fee will generate a minimum of $11,865 for council.
“They need that term to spend the money they are spending,” she said.
“I don’t have a problem supporting the five-year rent-free period.
“It’s going to come at a cost of about $56,000 for council over that term but I think it’s a good investment over and above what we’ve already done.”
Deputy mayor Laurie Hickey seconded the motion, stating Cooinda operating The Little Acorn out of the council-owned property was a “fabulous use of a shire asset”.
“It’s one the community can be proud of and anybody who has popped in there to have a coffee knows it’s a very welcoming place and the quality of produce served is very high,” he said.
“The fact that we need to move in to a 21-year lease does give Cooinda the opportunity to spend the money they are budgeting and ensure they will have use of the facility for years to come.
“I have no problem seconding this motion.”
The motion was carried unanimously, with Cr Geraldine Conheady stepping aside due to a conflict of interest.