Altona businesses brace for financial hit as Hobsons Bay Council pushes outdoor dining framework and Pier St changes

The end of outdoor dining in a Melbourne beachside community could be near, as the local council considers removing the “heart and soul” of the municipality.

Hobsons Bay Council has flagged potential changes for the precinct including a full closure, seasonal closures, or extended footpaths. Picture: Anouk Scheper

The end of outdoor dining in a Melbourne beachside community could be near, as the local council considers removing the “heart and soul” of the municipality.

Traders from Altona, located in the City of Hobsons Bay, fear a new outdoor dining framework would be financially unviable as they urge the community to make their voice heard to save the Pier St precinct.

Hobsons Bay City Council has sought feedback on proposed changes to outdoor dining in the municipality which would include a move from council-owned and managed parklets to permanent fixtures built and maintained by businesses at their own expense.

Pier Street closed between Queen and Blyth Streets during the pandemic and has provided a popular area for outdoor dining. Picture: Anouk Scheper

The proposal could see the existing parklets removed by council, only to be rebuilt by business owners at a cost of up to $80,000 for materials and construction.

The businesses would then also pay annual permits, per square metre, for the space.

It’s understood the new outdoor dining framework could affect every precinct in the municipality, including the popular Williamstown strip.

The council has also sought views on long-term options for the Pier St precinct, which closed during the pandemic to provide a space for outdoor dining and trading.

Options include a full street reopening — with or without parklets — as well as seasonal closures, permanent closure or extended footpaths.

The council website said while the precinct was “much loved” there were a range of different views including from those impacted by the road closure and businesses outside the block who missed out.

However, Altona Traders Association president Ilch Mickovski said the proposed framework was “unviable” for traders and the community needed to tell council they wanted outdoor dining to stay.

Altona Traders Association president Ilch Mickovski said the proposed changes would remove the “heart and soul” of Altona. Picture: Nilsson Jones

“Outdoor dining is not just part of business here, it’s part of Altona’s heart and soul,” Mr Mickovski said.

“Unfortunately the outdoor dining framework and closure of Pier St should have been completed after community and traders were consulted, not prior.

“It’s important the council listens to our community while making commercially viable decisions for traders to continue using these spaces.

“We ask the community to continue providing their feedback as they should ultimately decide whether outdoor dining should remain in Altona.”

Sources told the Herald Sun, council had already received more than 800 submissions since the survey opened on July 24.

Hobsons Bay mayor Tony Briffa said the Pier Street feature site was created using a temporary road closure but permanent closure would be subject to an extensive statutory consultation process and final approval from the transport department.

“So far, discussions with Laverton, Newport, Spotswood and Williamstown trader associations have been positive, and I have also received good feedback from individual Altona businesses,” Ms Briffa said.

“This current consultation is a preliminary step in determining whether there is support for permanent closure.

“Council encourages businesses who want to continue with, or begin, a parklet, to submit an EOI, and also welcomes feedback from the community.”

Residents have until August 31 to participate in the community survey.