Narre Warren charity Bk 2 Basics intends to mount a legal fight saying it will be otherwise forced to close under new “impossible” restrictions placed by City of Casey.
The charity which helps feed up to 7000 people in need per week has launched a funding campaign to raise $15,000 for an appeal at Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
It says this is its “best and only shot at keeping our doors open”.
On 17 June, Casey councillors granted a six-month planning permit at the Bk 2 Basics base at Vesper Drive, but with conditions including that it must remove its op shop signage, and that it can’t charge people for food and goods.
Bk 2 Basics later stated it could comply with “95 per cent of what is asked“ – but “the other 5 per cent“ would force it to close.
“Let us be clear: without donations, we simply can’t operate.
“We get next to no funding.
“We pay for food, yes, we purchase it ourselves, and we also rely on generous donations from our amazing partners like OzHarvest, Foodbank, and SecondBite. Plus all other operation costs.
“To pay our large food costs (yes it’s not all free) to pay our insurances, power, diesel, petrol, rodent control, waste management, homeless supplies, DV accomodation, etc etc we can do this not by funding, not by grants.
“We do this from the proceeds of our $1 op shop and our donation system for food.”
Last week, Shannon – daughter of Bk 2 Basics founder Kelly Warren – told Star News that they weren’t charging “a lot” for op-shop items.
“It’s mostly just a dollar and it helps a lot of families who aren’t able to afford (similar items).
“We also don’t charge (everyone) that’s coming through, we give them free items.”
In a statement, Casey Council stated it acknowledged and valued the charity’s “wonderful work” in supporting vulnerable community members.
Bk 2 Basics had grown significantly to two factory units, and had attracted complaints from neighbouring businesses in the Industrial 3 zone.
Casey stated that the permit conditions ensured visitors could safely access the site.
“We want to reassure our community that you will still be able to make monetary donations to Bk 2 Basics.”
Under the permit, visitors are required to book to access the op shop and numbers are capped to 12 at a time during operating hours.
Prior to the permit being approved, a Casey Council officers’ report had recommended not issuing a permit.
It cited insufficient car parking, traffic and road safety impacts as well as loading and unloading, noise, and waste storage challenges.
“On balance, while the service provides significant benefit to its users, Council is not satisfied that the Charitable Distribution Centre as proposed, on a constrained site, can operate in a manner that achieves an acceptable or orderly planning outcome.”
In the meantime, state Labor MPs Belinda Wilson and Gary Maas as well as Libertarian MP David Limbrick have rallied for Bk 2 Basics’ cause.
Mayor Stefan Koomen and Casey Residents and Ratepayers’ Association vice-president Anthony Tassone have also voiced support.
Due to his public support, Cr Koomen declared a conflict of interest and excluded himself from the permit vote on 17 June.
Within 24 hours, Bk 2 Basics had received nearly $3000 in pledges for its legal appeal.
