As part of the Hobsons Bay Business Has Heart Outdoors program, Council is working closely with local businesses across the city to re-open safely and extend outdoor trading areas in preparation for COVID-19 restrictions easing on 19 October.
Under the Council program, selected shopping strips and on street carparks will be transformed into plaza style dining areas by closing roads to traffic and providing shared outdoor tables, chairs, shade umbrellas, planter boxes, barriers and signage. Individual businesses will also be supported with customised outdoor trading arrangements to support the expansion of their trading footprint.
Potential locations for plaza style open dining areas include Harrington Square and Pier Street in Altona, Nelson Place in Williamstown and Aviation Road in Laverton.
A total of 28 precincts across Hobsons Bay have been identified that could benefit from additional space for external dining and trading areas.
Businesses can request Council's support to transform the on street carpark in front of their business into external dining or more retail space.
Council will provide infrastructure such as barriers, planter boxes or modular decking, sourced where possible from local suppliers and businesses.
Council's Business Support Officers are working closely with each business and will help them determine what options are available at each location and how Council can best support them.
Council will also provide support to work with neighbouring businesses to share trading areas and footpath space.
Businesses can register their interest in outdoor trading by completing the online form www.hobsonsbaybusiness.com.au/OutdoorTrading
As noted by CEO of Hobsons Bay City Council Aaron van Egmond
"We're working closely with our business community and making the process as simple as possible to create a special experience for customers to dine and shop outdoors in Hobsons Bay's diverse cafes, restaurants and retail locations.
"Expanding the outside trading area enables businesses to serve more customers while meeting social distancing requirements.
"As the warmer weather approaches, we can't wait to welcome back residents to dine outdoors and to attract customers from across Melbourne. Hobsons Bay outdoors will be the place to be."
