Oaks on Melba is a small, family-owned winery that was started several years ago in Yarra Valley.
The business was founded by a couple who were looking to pursue a new venture after the graduation of their children. Together, over the course of the next four years, the duo developed the property, hired a small team, spent full weekends in the neighbourhood (instead of going home) so that they were bright eyed and bushy tailed the next day to greet customers, old and new, from day to night.
The hard work paid off. Relationships with customers across the neighbourhood and area were built, word of mouth spread, and soon, the business was flourishing.
Knowing that their parents were busy, the kids were asked to come help the parents on the busier weekends, just to ensure that the community that Oaks on Melba had developed over the years remained strong, underpinned by quality customer service and excellent food and alcohol.
Unfortunately, the family was notified by the Yarra Ranges Council that the agency is now planning to invoke a 2001 planning permit, which will only permit Oaks on Melba to serve 20 patrons on site at one time.
This isn't a compromise as no business of this nature is able to financially sustain themselves on 20 patrons max. On top of that, imagine if you were two bottles of wine deep at a winery in the countryside only to be asked to leave because of an arbitrary quota imposed by the council.
Running a small business is difficult. Making it a success is beating the odds, and making it during COVID is a miracle.
And now, despite having adhered to and fulfilled all the requests of the council, including submitting plenty of paperwork, Oaks on Melba have been given no alternative from the council but to temporarily close their winery after Sunday 27th February.
Please help us save Oaks on Melba by signing this petition. It means everything to this family and the community that they've created over the last five years.
This is the Instagram account for more information: https://www.instagram.com/p/CMB7b_tj9Eh/
Updates
March 2, 2022
Two hundred and fifty people have backed this now and honestly I am just pacing around the kitchen because it feels surreal to see those names scrolling by. I keep thinking about how quiet the winery was when we first started and now it feels like the whole valley is speaking up for us so thanks for being here and noticing.
Reached 250 supporters
February 28, 2022
Reached 100 supporters
February 27, 2022
127 Comments
This is pure craziness. I understand rules but there should be a grace period after bringing the fact to the owners to allow them to get it sorted so they don’t lose anymore money especially after the last 2 years of lockdowns.
Why after 4 years, invoke something from 2001… if they were allowed to open 4 years ago, and you didn't realise, too bad Council. Your error not theirs and they should be allowed to continue as is. After the last 2 years hospitality have had, this is shameful
This is an unacceptable situation that council should be made aware of and prioritise. As a small local businesses l know how much of a struggle it has been and how much the local shire businesses have struggled with little more than lip service from council.
Save our local businesses. Words mean nothing. Actions are what counts. Allowing Oaks to only serve 20 people a day is ludicrous. This needs to be overturned immediately.
Imposing directions on a business to survive on 20 customers at a time is not only irresponsible but shows councils lack of knowledge about operating a business. Come to terms with the owners of Oaks on Melba so they may operate a successful business and allow employees and patrons to enjoy the hard work this family has employed.
Oaks on Melba is a great wine and dine experience that needs to be saved.
I cannot believe the stupidity of the council over this matter !
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Oaks on Melba is a small, family-owned winery that was started several years ago in Yarra Valley.
The business was founded by a couple who were looking to pursue a new venture after the graduation of their children. Together, over the course of the next four years, the duo developed the property, hired a small team, spent full weekends in the neighbourhood (instead of going home) so that they were bright eyed and bushy tailed the next day to greet customers, old and new, from day to night.
The hard work paid off. Relationships with customers across the neighbourhood and area were built, word of mouth spread, and soon, the business was flourishing.
Knowing that their parents were busy, the kids were asked to come help the parents on the busier weekends, just to ensure that the community that Oaks on Melba had developed over the years remained strong, underpinned by quality customer service and excellent food and alcohol.
Unfortunately, the family was notified by the Yarra Ranges Council that the agency is now planning to invoke a 2001 planning permit, which will only permit Oaks on Melba to serve 20 patrons on site at one time.
This isn't a compromise as no business of this nature is able to financially sustain themselves on 20 patrons max. On top of that, imagine if you were two bottles of wine deep at a winery in the countryside only to be asked to leave because of an arbitrary quota imposed by the council.
Running a small business is difficult. Making it a success is beating the odds, and making it during COVID is a miracle.
And now, despite having adhered to and fulfilled all the requests of the council, including submitting plenty of paperwork, Oaks on Melba have been given no alternative from the council but to temporarily close their winery after Sunday 27th February.
Please help us save Oaks on Melba by signing this petition. It means everything to this family and the community that they've created over the last five years.
This is the Instagram account for more information: https://www.instagram.com/p/CMB7b_tj9Eh/
Updates
March 2, 2022
Two hundred and fifty people have backed this now and honestly I am just pacing around the kitchen because it feels surreal to see those names scrolling by. I keep thinking about how quiet the winery was when we first started and now it feels like the whole valley is speaking up for us so thanks for being here and noticing.
Reached 250 supporters
February 28, 2022
Reached 100 supporters
February 27, 2022
127 Comments
Please support the continued operation of this lovely business. We chanced upon it not long ago and it is exactly the idyllic type of venue that brings families to live and visit the YV, and we have been looking forward to going back.
This is pure craziness. I understand rules but there should be a grace period after bringing the fact to the owners to allow them to get it sorted so they don’t lose anymore money especially after the last 2 years of lockdowns.
Why after 4 years, invoke something from 2001… if they were allowed to open 4 years ago, and you didn't realise, too bad Council. Your error not theirs and they should be allowed to continue as is. After the last 2 years hospitality have had, this is shameful
This is an unacceptable situation that council should be made aware of and prioritise. As a small local businesses l know how much of a struggle it has been and how much the local shire businesses have struggled with little more than lip service from council.
Save our local businesses. Words mean nothing. Actions are what counts. Allowing Oaks to only serve 20 people a day is ludicrous. This needs to be overturned immediately.
Imposing directions on a business to survive on 20 customers at a time is not only irresponsible but shows councils lack of knowledge about operating a business. Come to terms with the owners of Oaks on Melba so they may operate a successful business and allow employees and patrons to enjoy the hard work this family has employed.
Oaks on Melba is a great wine and dine experience that needs to be saved.
I cannot believe the stupidity of the council over this matter !
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Please support the continued operation of this lovely business. We chanced upon it not long ago and it is exactly the idyllic type of venue that brings families to live and visit the YV, and we have been looking forward to going back.