Boost to expand outdoor opportunities

QUEENSCLIFF and Point Lonsdale could see a further expansion of outdoor dining and other businesses moving into the streets, as crowds return to wine, dine and shop across the borough.

Following the success of “skiplets” to expand outdoor dining as COVID restrictions eased last year, the Borough of Queenscliffe will have new opportunities to help businesses move outdoors over summer with the support of the state government’s Outdoor Economy Package.

The borough is set to receive a total of $200,000 to support hospitality as well as a broad range of other businesses severely impacted by COVID restrictions, from hairdressers to non-essential retail.

Council will have $100,000 for works, services and promotion of outdoor areas to immediately extend the loft of existing outdoor eating and entertainment facilities and provide new outdoor facilities for other businesses.

The second part of the package will also provide $100,000 to establish semi-permanent and permanent outdoor precincts to support businesses impacted by COVID restrictions which will have lasting benefits to the local community.

Borough of Queenscliffe mayor Ross Ebbels said last year, 12 dedicated outdoor dining skiplets – recycled skips with timber floors and plants to accommodate outdoor dining tables – were provided to businesses across Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale.

The skiplets were installed in parking spaces next to eateries and allowed eateries to expand their outdoor dining capacity.

Council is still working through how the funding will be spent to best support local businesses and community.

However, the council has started talks with local traders and working behind the scenes to plan an economic recovery package for trading over summer and beyond.

Cr Ebbels said, with the help of the state government funding package, he was confident that council and businesses could “make it work” for hospitality, services and retail.

He said successful outdoor economy initiatives put in place for summer could also be a long-term option for businesses.

“It’s amazing if you look at Scandinavian countries, they eat outside all year round and have heaters and blankets; and it’s much colder there,” Cr Ebbels said.

The borough expects to have more information soon about summer activities and business-support initiatives to be introduced across the community.