Views sought to shape outdoor dining

THE City of Greater Geelong wants contributions from hospitality businesses as well as the community at large to help develop Outdoor Dining Guidelines.

The guidelines are being prepared to increase clarity and direction for businesses seeking to obtain approval for alfresco, parklet or other types of outdoor dining.

Building on the city’s existing Footpath and Designated Roads Trading and Activity Policy, the guidelines will help streamline the application process for an outdoor dining permit. which are presently issued on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration traffic conditions, patron safety, amenity and access for pedestrians, residents and essential vehicles.

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, and
• Assist businesses to comply with COVIDSafe Plans and patron limits.

Geelong mayor Peter Murrihy said all feedback would 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.

“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 council’s arts, live entertainment and hospitality chair Cr Eddy Kontelj encouraged businesses operators and community members to have their say.

“The development of the guidelines will help businesses know what information to provide up front and help streamline the application process,” he said.

“We know that expanded outdoor dining space can allow more people to enjoy our food culture, particularly over the warmer months.”

To provide feedback, complete the survey questions and interactive mapping exercises.

Hospitality business owners can also register to attend an online workshop on October 3 from 2-3pm, or at Wurriki Nyal Civic Precinct, 137-149 Mercer St, Geelong on October 4 from 3-4.30pm.

Feedback is open until October 7.

For more information, head to yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/outdoordining