Commercial cafe plan for Donnybrook

A new commercial cafe is set to open in Donnybrook as part of a multi-million-dollar bid to revitalise the town. A special meeting was held last week where Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup councillors agreed to lease out the heritage listed Donnybrook Goods Shed Interpretive Centre as a food and beverage venue. It comes as part of the $2.35 million project to construct the centre and develop the adjacent Station Square to attract a greater number of tourists, while the nearby Donnybrook Apple Fun Park is set for a $1.5 million revitalisation after securing Building Better Regions funding in 2019. The Shire is set to pump $240,000 into the shed and station project, including $100,000 from reserve funding from the Apple Fun Park reserve, with the remainder to be recouped after tenant fees. At the special council meeting, Shire chief executive Ben Rose said half of the $240,000 “capital expenditure” would be contributed to equipment such as ovens and fridges, which would be covered by a “commercially negotiated” lease fee. Although Shire documents were confidential and not available to the public, it is understood the Shire is in discussions with popular Manjimup-based business Southern Roasting Co. Mr Rose told the Times the concept of a commercial food and beverage operator at the interpretative centre had been in the domain for the past two years. Shire president Brian Piesse said it would present another option for locals and visitors. “As will be seen from the food and beverage offering from the Goods Shed Interpretive Centre, when opened, a unique offering will be available to visitors and locals alike and the connection with major tourism opportunities in Manjimup and the Southern Forests and Valley region cannot be ignored,” he said. “The Shire has gone to great lengths to ensure there is an element of uniqueness and a point of difference in the proposed food and beverage offering from the Goods Shed Interpretive Centre.”