New alfresco dining guidelines and policy will provide clearer direction for cafe, restaurant and bar owners across Greater Geelong.
The Outdoor Dining Policy and Guidelines replace the previous guidelines and guide traders on suitable locations and alfresco furniture such as planters, tables and barriers.
The updated guidelines focus on establishing a consistent and efficient approach to the application process, permit types, positioning, safety measures, design elements, operations and maintenance.
Examples of requirements include:
- Outdoor dining infrastructure, such as tables and chairs, must be easily removable to allow for emergency services or utility access when required.
- Umbrellas must withstand winds up to 120 km/h and have a minimum clearance of 2.4 m from the footpath.
- Businesses are responsible for maintaining a clean and tidy outdoor dining space, including the removal of litter, bird droppings, tree debris and spills.
- Tables and chairs must be durable, weather-resistant and designed for outdoor use.
The updated guidelines have been informed by extensive public engagement in 2022 and this year, workshops and surveys with traders, emergency services and community members, and an accessibility review last year.
The Summer in the Laneways - Little Malop Street Outdoor Dining Trial, which allowed hospitality businesses to temporarily expand outdoor dining in this pedestrian priority street, provided important learnings that have also been incorporated in the guidelines. The trial tested dining configurations, aimed to increase foot traffic and evaluated pedestrian-priority concepts.
