Logan to trial after-dark outdoor dining after state Budget plan

Logan City Council hopes to leverage off this week’s state Budget announcement of a nightlife commissioner to boost its after-dark economy, including a radical dining proposal.

Logan Eats & Beats at Flagstone Adventure Park. The council hopes to encourage more night time venues and events. Picture: Richard Walker/RDW Photography

Logan City Council has revealed it will allow businesses to trial outdoor dining ventures on footpaths, in car parks and even on the roadside after dark and will waive all fees for outdoor dining permits.

Cafes, restaurants and venues have been urged to apply to the council to get funding to spread their business on footpaths or even into car parks after 2am.

It is not the first time Logan has tried to jolt its night-time economy.

In 2020, the council hit on a plan to slash red tape, to make it cheaper for small-scale breweries to set up.

Its latest move followed this week’s Budget announcement that the state was going to pay for a night-time commissioner to encourage businesses and entertainment venues to remain open after dark.

Logan after dark. Picture: Richard Walker/RDW Photography

It is understood the state initiative could also include reviewing the use of ID scanners in Brisbane, along with lockout laws for some licensed venues.

There was no line item detailing the exact amount of money the state government planned spending on the night-time commissioner post and associated grants to councils.

But budget documents for the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training showed an allocation of $22.74 million under a Connecting Queensland small businesses to grants and support services.

That was down from $33.4 million in the current 2023/24 financial year.

In a strategic move to invigorate its night economy, Logan has embraced the state government initiative and has given preliminary approval for an Outdoor Furniture and Parklet Trial using money from a state government grant.

The council pilot plan aimed to kickstart Logan’s night-life across the city, which covered suburbs with diverse socio-economic status.

Under the project, the council would “temporarily provide” infrastructure and equipment such as prefabricated and removable roof extensions, functional lighting, decking, barriers, built-in seating or planter boxes that can be put on a footpath or in a carpark to extend a venue.

Logan council will temporarily provide some businesses with seating and plastic outdoor furniture for evening events. Picture: Richard Walker/RDW Photography

Logan councillor Teresa Lane, whose electorate covers the bustling night-life centre of Logan Central, said the initiative had the potential to ramp up the city in the lead up to the Olympic Games.

“After a Europe trip, I love the fact that in France, they throw down three pallets, put some board across the top and all of a sudden there is seating for nine people outside a cafe that is the size of a toilet room,” Cr Lane said.

“It’s absolutely magic and I’m so excited for local businesses to be able to put that expression of interest in.

“If it falters in some places, but the take up is greater in some areas, that’s still a great outcome.”

Successful applicants for the Logan Parklet Project will need to obtain a footpath dining permit with public liability insurance for up to $20 million in line with the council’s existing outdoor dining permit requirements.

Logan council is trying to encourage evening venues and events. Picture: Richard Walker/RDW Photography

The council was told that if the funding was not spent within the next year, there would be negative implications for future grant funding applications.

Logan has a number of night-time venues including the popular Kingston Butter Factory known for hosting live music, theatre and community events along with the Logan Entertainment Centre and the Beenleigh Town Square, which often hosts outdoor events, markets, and festivals.

Other venues which were likely to apply for the night-time funding included Beenleigh Historical Village and Museum, currently a daytime attraction which occasionally hosted night events and cultural activities.

The Springwood Mall had a variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars that operated after dark.

The Springwood Hotel offered dining, live music, and night time events.

The Hyperdome Shopping Centre at Loganholme had a range of dining options and a cinema, making it a popular evening destination for families and young adults.

Grand Plaza Shopping Centre also offered a mix of evening dining and entertainment options, as well as the nearby Browns Plains Hotel.