Road closures, car park dining planned in Glen Eira as restrictions ease
Road closures are on the cards in Elsternwick, Carnegie and Bentleigh to make way for alfresco dining as the council and traders try to reboot the hospitality industry following coronavirus restrictions.
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Road closures in Elsternwick, Bentleigh and Carnegie could see streets transformed into alfresco dining plazas under a plan to help the hospitality industry cope with tough outdoor-only dining rules.
Restaurants and cafes in Glen Eira are invited to have their say on plans to reboot once lockdown lifts.
Since the shut down, the council has given out 279 grants to help small business in the area, totalling $546,186.
Following the State Government’s announcement on September 14 of an $87.5 million package for council to help restaurants and cafes make the switch to outdoor dining, Glen Eira is meeting with traders to determine what help they need.
The government’s package could include cash to buy items including tables, plastic screens, umbrellas.
Planing and place director Ron Torres said the council would look to extend footpath trading boundaries to take in the area outside neighbouring shops.
Street parking spaces and laneways are also slated to become the areas hottest new dining venues, with temporary road closures planned to ensure safe on-road dining.
Mr Torres said the council would work closely with interested traders ahead of the restrictions easing on October 26.
“Communications seeking interest from traders will be issued this week,” Mr Torres said.
“Council is pursuing a number of approaches to assist traders, namely the extension of footpath trading areas (and) streamlining of the permit process to enable traders to trade from council land as quickly as possible.”
Mr Torres said traders associations in Elsternwick, Bentleigh and Carnegies had already been consulted but discussions would continue with business owners across the municipality over the next four to five weeks.
“Council is committed to assisting traders and businesses within the municipality to reopen in the most efficient way and in accordance with the State Government’s advice regarding pandemic requirements,” he said.
As well as providing grants, the council has hosted a series of webinars aimed at helping businesses move online.
The expressions of interest process will begin on the council’s website soon.
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