Yarra City Council has today announced a further $405,000 in additional support for local businesses by waiving all footpath trading, parklet and street/lane closure fees until 31 December 2021.
The fee waiver builds on Council's support for local business during the COVID -19 response and recovery, including $2.8 million in direct grants, fee waivers and refunds.
Yarra Mayor Cr Gabrielle de Vietri said Council understood that the impacts of COVID-19 continued to be felt strongly by many.
"We know this week's announcement of extended restrictions will pose a continued challenge for many of our local businesses. That's why we have listened and responded by waiving all outdoor dining - including both footpath trading and parklet permit fees - until 31 December," Mayor de Vietri said.
"This response provides much needed relief to more than 1,100 hospitality businesses across Yarra and demonstrates our commitment to supporting the local community during this difficult period.
Council will continue to listen and work with local residents and business to identify the necessary support they need as the pandemic continues and as we move towards the COVID recovery," she said.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Yarra City Council has provided more than $8 million dollars in funding and other relief measures including food and care packages for local residents, business support grants and the waiving of all outdoor dining fees since April 2020.
