More cash for outdoor dining

AHEAD of a summer of COVID-safe outside dining, the Golden Plains Shire has financially benefited from the State’s Outdoor Economy Package.

Having received an extra $200,000, the municipality will expand temporary and permanent outdoor dining offerings and add to infrastructure installed in March with money from the first round of grants.

Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Helena Kirby said her council group is thrilled to have the support.

“This new funding will build on the $250,000 council received last year to set up permanent outdoor dining spaces in Bannockburn, Meredith, Inverleigh and Smythesdale,” she said.

“Council thanks the Victorian Government for this funding to further enhance and activate outdoor areas across the Shire.”

Western Victoria upper house MP Gayle Tierney said her communities “embraced” COVID safe outdoor dining last summer.

“I am looking forward to seeing even more local businesses supported by this fantastic initiative and even more people being able to get out and about safely as we open up,” she said.

Minister for Small Business and fellow Western Victoria upper house MP Jaala Pulford said the funding is not just about overflow space for customers, but a way of backing bars, cafes and restaurants as they get back on their feet.

“This is about giving businesses support to reopen in safe and new ways, ensuring they can recover strongly and quickly,” she said.

“Our small businesses are rearing to go, and this will mean more customers and more trade as we move ever closer to our key vaccination targets.”

Within the Shire’s initial COVID safe outdoor dining project earlier in the year, five tables were installed at the Bannockburn Heart on synthetic turf, under three shade sails.

An four tables on gravel pads were added to the Smythesdale green under two shade sails, two tables were installed on synthetic at the new Inverleigh play space, under one new shade sail, and pre-existing tables, benches and seating on the corner of Staughton and Wallace streets in Meredith were freshened with a re-stain.