Carly and Richard Flecknoe, owners of Halls Gap cafe Harvest, are in the process of making upgrades to part of Halls Gap’s Heath Street.

“When we bought 2 Heath Street a few years ago we thought our whole business idea was just the cafe,” Ms Flecknoe said.

Related: Council puts focus on Halls Gap plan

“The property used to be a backpackers so it had space for accommodation as well. It is on a third of an acre but one edge of it was wasted.”

With empty space at their disposal, the couple considered various ideas for the “disused space” near their cafe, but struggled to come up with the idea of expanding Halls Gap’s retail precinct until recently.

“It was just one of these weird things where I woke up with the idea where i thought we should put shops there, extending the shopping village to the other end of Halls Gap,” Ms Flecknoe said.

“Once that idea lit up we thought ‘why didn't we think of it sooner’. It has been about a two year process from the first idea to liaising with architects.

“We have finally gotten to the point where we have drawings and plans with the planning permit in.”

The proposed extension of the village we be called ‘Peaks Precinct’, getting the ball rolling for the extension of Halls Gap’s shopping area.

“The site will end up having Harvest, two accommodation units and beside Harvest will be three freestanding retail tenancies with the boardwalk connecting the whole lot,” Ms Flecknoe said.

The Harvest owners will lease out the three tenancies, with two of the spots already filled. 

Ms Flecknoe said she cannot reveal the businesses just yet but said she is excited about what is to come.

“I love we are bringing something new to the region. In our tenancy agreements we are putting in no direct competition clauses so those new businesses moving in will be something different to the town,” she said.

“When these two businesses came to us I was very excited. They will be a very good fit for the block and the town.”

She said she hopes the new precinct will help continue Halls Gap to grow as a tourist destination.

“We hear from our customers all the time they have nothing to do. Those mountains are amazing but if we aren't doing things to support the visitation of those mountains people will come, walk the Pinnacle and go,” she said.

“The longer we can get them to stay the better it will be for the region and we think this direction can help.”

The new businesses are expected to be open by September this year, with planning permits already approved.

Northern Grampians Shire South West Ward councillor Jason Hosemans said the move is one that falls into line well with the ideas council has for the town.

“I think it’s fantastic, it will be the first real impact in that commercial precinct,” he said.

“Heath Street is under utilised and under developed due to access restrictions but with ongoing council support and initiative such as this we can have a big impact in making Halls Gap greater than it already is.”