My name is Angela, and I am the owner of Mrs Pasta in Balmain. For the past three years, I have proudly operated this small family business, serving and supporting our local community.

Our restaurant includes a beautifully decorated outdoor courtyard area, which we covered with an awning to provide our customers with a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable dining experience. The awning was installed not only to protect guests from Sydney’s unpredictable weather, but also because there is a large pine tree located in the rear courtyard that regularly drops debris, sap, and large branches, creating safety concerns and disrupting customers while dining.

Unfortunately, despite these ongoing issues, Inner West Council has denied our request to remove or significantly trim the tree, stating that it is considered “healthy” and does not present a problem.

At the same time, council is now demanding that we remove and completely rebuild the covered courtyard structure to comply with updated guidelines. This process would require engineers, acoustic consultants, and additional compliance work, costing our small business more than $15,000 — an expense we simply cannot afford.

As a small family-run restaurant, we are doing everything we can to stay afloat during already challenging times. We have always tried to create a welcoming space for the community and operate responsibly, so this situation feels incredibly unfair and overwhelming.

I sincerely appreciate any support, advice, or assistance that could help save Mrs Pasta. This business means so much to me, my family, and our local community, and I truly hope we can find a fair and reasonable solution.