A GIDGEGANNUP family is fighting for survival after a two-year planning battle with the City of Swan has left Macri’s Fruit Shed facing permanent closure.

Macri’s Fruit Shed owner John Macri purchased the property nearly three decades ago to fulfill a dream of owning an orchard, with the venture over time growing into the popular family shop.

The small business provides its own fresh produce alongside goods sourced from other farmers to the Gidgegannup community.

Macri’s Fruit Shed faced a critical impasse when they were informed that selling produce from outside sources was prohibited under current land use laws.

Under the Western Australian planning framework, rural properties are restricted to selling only what is grown directly on-site.

Daughter of John Macri, Tahlia Macri, said the family had spent 18 months and tens of thousands of dollars on specialist reports to apply for a tourism facility land use exception.

“We spent thousands and thousands of dollars developing plans at the request of the city, bushfire management plans, parking plans…,” she said.

“A few days before we were to submit our application documents, our planner rang us up and let us know the city had made an amendment to their document, voiding the tourism exception, saying it no longer exists, and we couldn’t apply for it anymore.

“Our bill for the reports is $30,000 and we’re not even going to end up with a shop… we’ve been set up to fail from the beginning.”

The Gidgegannup community has rallied behind the family business, with a community led petition urging the city to help Macri’s Fruit Shed find a viable path to stay open.

The petition has gathered more than 2120 signatures as of April 14.

Mrs Macri said the alternative pathway proposed by the city - rezoning the five-acre property from rural to retail commercial category - is a financial burden the family simply cannot carry.

“They said we had to apply for a rezoning to become a shop, which would cost over $100,000. Plus, the property - which is our family home - would be required to pay commercial rates,” she said.

“We’re just a tiny, community shop, there is nothing in that which could be viable for us. We don’t want a free handout; we just want to be taken seriously.”

City of Swan chief executive officer Stephen Cain said the city is seeking to support Macri’s Fruit Shed to remain open, while ensuring compliance with the state planning framework.

“The state government gazetted Local Planning Scheme Amendment 231 on December 16, 2025, which removed the tourist facilities land use category and introduced new definitions,” he said.

“These changes have altered how integrated rural tourism activities can be assessed and the city will work with Macri’s Fruit Shed to explore available pathways within the updated scheme.”

“The city remains committed to assisting local business to navigate regulatory changes, with the aim of supporting their continued operation and contribution to the local community and economy.”

Residents can sign the petition at the change.org