Road map out of lockdown Mornington Peninsula: how to save traders
Desperate traders are begging for a clear plan to help them survive the coronavirus shutdown, saying the council should be following London’s lead.
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Business on the brink are begging for a road map to recovery that could include turning parts of the Mornington Peninsula into all day alfresco dining precincts.
Tourism and hospitality leaders called for Mornington Peninsula Shire to reveal its plan to reboot the region’s economy before entering caretaker mode for the upcoming council elections on September 22.
The plea followed business outrage over leaked documents that revealed the State Government’s road map for easing restrictions had no reopening date for retail, hospitality and entertainment venues.
Small Business Australia said if the draft plan remained unchanged it would be a “tombstone for Victorian business”.
Green Olive at Red Hill owner Greg O’Donoghue said the lack of local action by Mornington Peninsula Council was also frustrating.
“The Shire has a ‘tin ear’ to the voice of its local businesses”, Mr O’Donoghue said.
“Council has done nothing for the hospitality and tourism industry in the five months we have been currently shut down.
“Without a clear plan and decisive action to improve local business conditions, we’ll end
up with multiple businesses failing and unemployment for youth going past twenty per cent.”
Committee for Mornington Peninsula president Shannon Smit said traders were in desperate need of a road out of the current punishing business conditions.
The Committee wanted the council to consider using public spaces to support restaurants and cafes, creating a COVID-19 Business Response and Recovery Taskforce and streamlining permit process and cutting fees.
Ms Smit said the shire should look at what other cities around the world were doing to support businesses during the recovery phase.
“Westminster Council in London implemented a plan for alfresco dining including pavement widening and temporary road closures for part of the day in popular London districts such as Chinatown, Covent Garden, Soho and Mayfair.
“If the council responsible for Central London can come up with innovative solutions, surely so can our council.”
Mornington Peninsula mayor Sam Hearn said shire officers were “putting the finishing touches to a business support actions road map” that had been developed in consultation with local businesses.
“Our CEO John Baker and I have had conversations with the Regional Tourism Board, the Committee for Mornington Peninsula, chambers of commerce and local businesses about the need for urgent and unique provisions to be made to allow our businesses to maximise their trade and revenue over the coming summer period,” Cr Heran said.
He said the council had already introduced a raft of measures to support businesses during lockdown including reducing, deferring and even waiving fees for outdoor dining, footpath trading and rents for commercial tenants in shire properties.
The council had also fast tracked planning approvals for businesses wanting to diversify and launched a free online service to help traders find funding opportunities.
Cr Hearn said a Parklet Plan to allow businesses to have street furniture and seating in township carparks was underway.
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