The cafe has been lumped with a $30,765 Section 94 Urban Roads Contribution fee from Western Plains Regional Council, and while arguments against the figure were not supported by council, the fees are likely to be reduced due to a calculation error.

In a letter to council, the business owner argued the “significant” fees had “impacted the development such that its vitality is jeopardised”.

The cafe also argued their classification should be changed from ‘restaurant’ to ‘hospitality facility’ to closer match its use.

The Section 94 fees are calculated based on a traffic analysis, and the cafe used their own study in an attempt to highlight council’s figures were inaccurate, as another reason for waiving their fees.

But in council’s report, planner Josh Smith said while he noted the applicants endeavour to undertake the traffic analysis, it needed to be done by a suitably qualified professional over an extended period of time.

Despite the arguments being rejected, it’s not all bad news for the establishment. Instead of the original $30,000, the fees are likely to be reduced to $7,041.

A review of the original development application found the overall gross floor area had been calculated incorrectly, bringing the contribution down to $19,741.

The report was also passed on to council’s technical services division which recommended an additional $12,700 be deducted due to the upgrades to the kerb, gutter and concrete footpath along Bultje Street, completed by the applicant.

The proposed fee reduction will go before administrator Michael Kneipp at Wednesday night’s council meeting.