Decking to provide permanent outdoor dining at Sturt Street cafes

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Keeley Munro, Maddie Lundy, and Jessica Stirling from Higher Society on Sturt Street.

Ballarat cafe-goers will soon enjoy permanent outdoor dining along some of the most popular blocks on Sturt Street.

With roughly a third of a $975,000 state government grant, the City of Ballarat will build a decked area outside blocks 411 to 419 with breakfast bar benches, garden beds, and small trees to accommodate patrons of the adjacent businesses.

It is also hoped the infrastructure will improve pedestrian passage along the street.

The loading zone currently outside cafe L’espresso will be moved up to the kerb that recently replaced the left-hand turn onto Dawson Street.

Behind it, three more car parks will be added until they meet the decking, which will stretch to cover most of the lane next to L’espresso, Higher Society, and Europa.

In total, two car parks will be lost as a result of the extension.

City of Ballarat Mayor Daniel Moloney said the new outdoor seating would encourage more people to visit nearby venues.

“The new dining spaces will improve the aesthetic for diners and create additional space to fill up the venues,” he said.

“It is a fantastic way to get people out to enjoy the atmosphere and support our local businesses.”

Construction is scheduled to start within weeks and be completed in time for spring this year.