Two year window opens for truck stop eatery though hefty rental slug remains to be negotiated
By Ruza Zivkusic-Aftasi | November 20, 2012
The Port Truckie Diner in Melbourne has got the green light to stay for another two years.
Located on Footscray Road, the diner which attracts up to 7,000 truck drivers each year has been given the all clear by rail operator VicTrack to continue operating.
Owner Tass ‘Franky’ Koumakis says he is still negotiating a rental proposal of $25,000 a year with the operator.
“We are pushing for $15,000 as we don’t pay electricity or water but at the end of the day we are lucky,” Koumakis says.
“At the moment we just want to know where we stand, that’s all.
“Truck drivers are happy but they don’t want a BP service station, they want us here.”
He adds that the drivers much
prefer what the diner offers.
The Victorian Government originally leased the land from VicTrack, and Koumakis says he paid $10 a year in rent to the Government.