The City of Greater Geelong is seeking feedback from hospitality businesses and the general community to help develop Outdoor Dining Guidelines.
The Outdoor Dining Guidelines are being prepared to increase clarity and direction for businesses seeking to obtain approval for alfresco, parklet or other types of outdoor dining.
The parklets were introduced during the pandemic to increase the number of patrons that hospitality venues could accommodate.
Mayor Peter Murrihy said all feedback will be used to inform the development of the Outdoor Dining Guidelines, helping businesses to cater to more customers and operate viably within the health restrictions.
“We want to reduce hurdles and make it easier for businesses to expand their outdoor dining while protecting access to public space,” he said.
“The development of the draft guidelines will help businesses to operate outside while protecting safety, accessibility, and amenity for nearby residents, businesses and pedestrians.”
The City assesses outdoor permit eligibility on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration traffic conditions, patron safety, amenity and access for pedestrians, residents and essential vehicles.
Building on the existing ‘Footpath and Designated Roads Trading and Activity Policy’, the guidelines will help streamline the application process for an outdoor dining permit.
The guidelines aim to:
Provide guidance to businesses wishing to apply to establish or extend their outdoor dining areas
Enable safe dining options for the community
Provide a decision-making framework for evaluating applications
Ensure the application process is clear and simple
Assist businesses to comply with COVIDSafe Plans and patron limits.
Go to yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/outdoordining to provide feedback.
Hospitality business owners can also register to attend a workshop from 2pm to 3pm on Monday October 3 online via yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/outdoordining or from 3pm to 4.30pm Tuesday October 4 at Wurriki Nyal Civic Precinct, 137-149 Mercer St, Geelong.
Feedback is open until Friday 7 October 2022.
