Almost two-thirds of businesses in The Terrace, Ocean Grove have had a positive experience of the outdoor dining trial, a City survey has found.
A total of 63.3 per cent of traders also stated the expanded al fresco areas had increased activity on the street.
The City has today released the findings of its survey, which gauged public views about the impacts of the temporary installation of parklets in The Terrace.
There was a total of 163 responses to the survey, with:
- 126 (77 per cent) supportive of the activation;
- 29 (18 per cent) opposing the trial; and
- the remainder (8) provided either mixed or neutral feedback.
Through the activation, the City has provided accessible outdoor seating for hospitality providers to expand their outdoor service, street greening and additional footpath space.
The survey findings will be used to help the City determine whether the three-month trial should end on 8 March 2021, or whether an extension is warranted.
Greater Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher thanked the large number of traders, local residents and visitors who provided their feedback on the trial.
"The findings will help us evaluate the initiative and determine any future use of the parklets and expanded dining areas in The Terrace precinct," Mayor Asher said.
"After careful consideration, we'll decide the best way forward and then share that directly with traders and survey respondents."
The City initiated the concept in response to the Victorian Government's commitment that outdoor activities would be prioritised as COVID-19 restrictions ease.
Funding support to roll out expanded al fresco areas in multiple precincts was secured through the Government's Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package.
A total of 49 business owners/operators on The Terrace contributed to the survey.
From this:
- 32 (65 per cent) stated that they had an overall positive experience;
- 12 (25 per cent) stated that they had an overall negative experience; and
- 5 (10 per cent) were either unsure or neutral.
Sixty-three per cent of the business owners/operators surveyed told us that the expanded outdoor dining areas had increased activity on the street.
While 61 per cent of traders said that they would like the initiative to continue beyond 8 March 2021, with 26 per cent calling for the expanded outdoor dining areas to be removed.
