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AN 840-litre septic tank is at the centre of a 16-month stand-off between the owners of a proposed Newbridge cafe and Loddon Shire Council.
Newbridge General Store owners Beryl and Darryl Peters have had the tables set in an adjoining cafe for more than a year but cannot get a permit to open because of a regulation surrounding the septic tank.
Mr Peters estimated the stand-off was costing the couple $1000 a week in possible earnings.
He said the couple first met with Loddon Shire Council's environmental health officer in July 2013 to look at options for a larger dining area.
The couple gained a liquor licence for the cafe and renovated the back of the general store in August 2013 after gaining Loddon Shire planning department approval.
Mr Peters said the planning department process was 'excellent'.
But the couple's plans were halted in April this year when the environmental health officer placed a condition on the use of the extended area stating the septic tank was incapable of dealing with the expected increase of trade.
Mr Peters said the couple were told the new condition was to 'ensure the effluent disposal considerations are properly catered for as part of the overall development of the site'.
He said the septic system was more than capable of dealing with extra traffic.
"The (septic) system is operating at 25 per cent capacity," he said.
Mr Peters said Loddon council had suggested the couple buy a neighbouring block of land to house a larger septic tank but none were available.
Loddon Shire Council chief executive John McLinden said council wanted to find a suitable solution.
"We are committed to working with the proprietors of the store (but) we are aware we need to protect the community and the environment," Mr McLinden said.
"The situation is that it will vastly change their operation.
"It is certainly true that their septic tank has operated sufficiently. This general store produces virtually no waste. This proposal has changed and will generate significant waste.
"When there is a drastic change to the nature of the business being conducted on the premises the council has a responsibility to make sure that is not compromising the health of the people."
Mr McLinden said the council was pro-development.
"We have found that a difficult objective to obtain in a country town at times," he said.
He said the shire had a long-term solution to get reticulated sewerage.