Goya Dmytryshchak
Maribyrnong council is seeking community feedback on plans to extend and expand outdoor dining established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The council is looking to extend until April the outdoor dining program it introduced last year to help bars, restaurants and cafes survive.
Forty-seven parklets (parking bays re-purposed for tables and chairs) popped up across suburbs including West Footscray and Yarraville.
A pop-up park in Ballarat Street at Yarraville and a laneway in Yewers Street at Footscray were also opened up to diners.
If the community supports an extension, a $250,000 state government grant could be used to maintain existing outdoor dining areas and install more in the Footscray CBD near Footscray station, Nicholson Street Mall and the West Footscray Indian Quarter.
The program initially started as a six-month trial in November after the council received $500,000 government funding.
Mayor Michael Clarke urged people to fill out a council survey.
“The outdoor dining program has given our community an opportunity to support our local traders while enjoying great food with good friends in a COVIDSafe way,“ he said.
“It has also brought our community together when restrictions have lifted – each time.
“I encourage everyone to complete the survey as now is the time to confirm if there is sufficient demand to extend and even potentially expand the program to more outlets.“
The survey is yourcityyourvoice.com.au and hard copies are also available at outdoor dining venues.
Feedback is being invited until June 30.
