Jennifer Pittorino
Hobsons Bay council has voted to keep Pier Street closed to traffic and for parklet infrastructure to remain until at least August 2024.
In its meeting on Tuesday, November 14, councillors received an update on the future of outdoor trading in the area following community consultation undertaken earlier this year.
In early 2023, council sought feedback from the community and businesses in regards to parklets in a post-COVID context alongside a commitment to pay fees.
Feedback was also sought on the draft parklet and fixed infrastructure guidelines and proposed long term options for Pier Street.
When asked whether they supported parklets on a more permanent basis, 72 per cent of respondents either ’strongly agreed’ or ’somewhat agreed’.
The preferred options were for permanent extended footpaths at 81 per cent, followed by “permanent closure of this section of Pier Street to traffic” at 74 per cent.
Councillors will receive another report on options for Pier Street at a future council meeting.
Councillor Daria Kellander said traders that she had spoken to indicated they were comfortable with the changes.
“I am happy to support allowing traders to continue to use their existing infrastructure for another ten months,” she said.
“I am happy to keep the Pier Street feature site road closed until the report comes back.”
Councillor Tony Briffa said it is important council consider these changes in time for the next budget.
“It’s important that this report and these suggestions come back in time for the budget in 2024-25,” she said.
“I am clearly of the view that council should pay for these works as that is what we have done everywhere else, so I can’t imagine it not being the case in Pier Street.”
Councillor Johnathon Marsden said it is time that council makes these popular trading precincts permanent.
“We got off the parklets really quickly, they were very successful and enormously beneficial to the community,” he said.
“They allowed people to collect food safely and gave out more space which can be used in restaurants, takeaway and delivery.
“But they are temporary and now we need to make them permanent and consistent.”
