Kingston Council extends outdoor dining support for businesses
As part of its ongoing commitment to support local hospitality businesses, Kingston Council will continue to waive the costs for approved Outdoor Dining and Footpath Trading permits and Dining Pop-Up Licences, until 30 November 2021.
Since Outdoor Dining fees were waived last October to help businesses with COVID-19 recovery efforts, the City of Kingston has provided streamlined support and approvals for:
- 50 new footpath activity permits,
- 22 expanded footpath activity permits,
- Permits for 10 parklets (with contributions of up to $5,000 for the installation of safety infrastructure funded through the Victorian Government's 'Local Councils Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package'), and
- Permits for 10 outdoor dining pop-up events
Kingston Mayor Steve Staikos said these waived permit fees have been extended by an extra four months and are now valid until the end of November 2021. "We are happy to continue waiving these fees to further support businesses wherever possible, to get them through the pandemic," said Cr Staikos.
"Many of the outdoor dining permits provided by Council are relatively straightforward, and businesses have been contacted about how they can continue, but there are a few that require a bit more time and investigation, to ensure we get it right."
One of the areas which has required investigation, has been the ongoing provision of parklets to hospitality businesses. The Department of Transport is responsible for providing approvals on the provision of these spaces. Council has submitted the necessary paperwork for these approvals, with a slight reduction in numbers.
"Council has received feedback from a number of community members, who have raised concerns that in some suburbs, outdoor dining parklets have resulted in a shortage of car parking spaces," said Cr Staikos. "We understand that we need to get the balance right, by listening to our community, whilst doing whatever we can to support local businesses."
This is just one of the many ways Kingston Council supports local businesses, other support includes:
- Access to free workshops to upgrade the skills needed to run a business
- Information about how to put in tenders for government contracts
- Networking and referral opportunities
- Mentoring
- Support with working through red tape (the paperwork needed to get things happening)
- Employment services
