By Tate Papworth
Almost a year since the Brownstone Cafe shut its doors, Brimbank Park, one of the municipality’s biggest landmarks is still without a basic food and drink venue.
Following the cafe’s closure late last year Parks Victoria Keilor Plains area chief ranger David Collins said a new tenant would be found as soon as possible.
He also said short-term agreements for mobile food vendors would be initiated.
However, neither has eventuated.
In May this year, Parks Victoria put out a call for expressions of interest, with the cafe to be leased out for a period of up to 10 years.
At the time, Parks Victoria district manager Craig Bray said the plan was to have new tenants in place by spring.
“I know that park visitors and the local community are eager to see the cafe up-and-running, which we hope can occur during spring 2018,” he said.
With one month of spring already down, Parks Victoria appears no closer to installing a vendor. Parks Victoria district manager Mike Forsyth said the search was still on.
“Parks Victoria is currently seeking to secure a lease holder for the café at Brimbank Park and will make an announcement once a new proponent has been confirmed,” he said.
Parks Victoria’s plan to install mobile food vendors also appears to have fallen flat.
“Interest from food truck vendors to operate from Brimbank Park has been limited. Parks Victoria will continue to focus on securing a lease holder for the café as a priority,” Mr Forsyth said.
Expression of interest applications closed on June 29.
