The parklet pilot at Jan Juc’s The Beach Hotel has been successful, paving the way for an outdoor dining initiative across the shire.
Surf Coast Shire Council endorsed the draft outdoor parklet dining guidelines and a proposed Local Law amendment for public exhibition during its May 28 meeting.
Mayor Liz Pattison said parklets turned on-street parking zones next to hospitality businesses into community spaces offering public seating and street dining opportunities or green spaces.
“Thank you to the locals and visitors who had their say on The Beach Hotel parklet, which ran from mid-January to early April,” she said.
“The pub transformed three kerbside car parks into a parklet and an outdoor dining area. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 97 per cent of respondents in favour of the parklet.
“Extended outdoor dining has the potential to increase the time spent in the area, subsequent spend, financial viability of the business, and may encourage more slow tourism where visitors linger.”
Mayor Pattison said incorporating the outdoor dining parklet guidelines into the Local Law would enable the council to support parklets being installed across the shire.
A parklet pilot survey had previously been conducted and attracted 185 responses, with the draft guidelines ensuring the parklet designs are sensitive to environmental concerns.
The pilot has received three submissions that detailed concerns about the loss of three car parking spaces, which led to the council installing two additional parking bays in Jan Juc Village.
Hospitality businesses will be invited to express their interest in applying for a parklet if the guidelines are adopted and incorporated into the Local Law.
Visit yoursay.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/Parklet to view and make a submission on the draft guidelines and amendment before 5pm on June 26.
