Melbourne pop-up parklets could stay on after summer

Parklets could be here to stay as restaurants embrace the pop-up outdoor dining pivot — but not everyone agrees.

Back Alley Sally’s bar in Footscray has set up a parklet outside. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Parking spaces in some of Melbourne’s busiest streets may be kept as outdoor dining areas beyond the summer trial period.

The pop-up parklets were designed to help hospitality businesses cater for more customers post-lockdown but their popularity has meant some could remain permanent features.

Eleven inner-city councils told the Herald Sun their consultation with businesses and residents on the future of the program was either underway or due to start in the coming weeks.

It will determine whether they stay as dining spaces or revert to on-street parking.

Port Phillip mayor Louise Crawford said the parklets had received mostly positive feedback but “a small number of traders have expressed concern that losing parking spots will lead to a decrease in trade and we are undertaking studies to understand this better”.

Melbourne restaurantgoers dining outdoors during New Year’s Eve. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

She said the council was developing criteria to “assess the longer-term viability of those who may wish to be made permanent”.

One barrier that may deter businesses from wanting to keep the parklets was the cost of taking over ownership from the council and ongoing expenses, such as public liability insurance.

Chapel St cafe Old Mate Windsor owner Kristian Pirotta said he wanted the parklets to stay year-round and said it would be worth the investment.

He said the loss of on-street parking was not an issue because there were so many parking buildings nearby and good public transport options.

“I don’t see a downside to keeping them, they should stay, 100 per cent,” he said.

Footscray bar Back Alley Sally’s co-owner Jo Harvey said she was supportive of the idea of keeping the parklets seasonally.

A colourful parklet in Moreland. Picture: Moreland City Council

“Winter in Melbourne is a different kettle of fish altogether when looking at outdoor dining,” she said.

Maribyrnong Council said its six-month trial “may be extended subject to community satisfaction and a council evaluation”.

Moreland Council said: “If businesses and the community embrace it then we would certainly consider continuing with outdoor dining.”

Melbourne lord mayor Sally Capp said its trial of 340 parklets was due to end in March and would be followed by a review to inform future plans.

“I’ve had traders calling me saying they love their new outdoor dining area and want to keep it,” she said.

Parklets in Moonee Valley would become permanent if businesses agree to take ownership and manage ongoing costs.

Moonee Valley mayor Cam Nation said the council was rolling out a second round to involve more businesses.

Yarra Council mayor Gabrielle de Vietri said the outdoor dining had been “a resounding success” and the council was monitoring the program.

Bayside Council said its trial would run until the end of April and its future would depend on feedback from businesses and residents.

Boroondara Council said it had yet to make a decision on the future of outdoor dining in car parks.

It said its parklets took up less than 1 per cent of publicly available car parks in shopping precincts.

But Prahran florist Honeybee and Blossom owner Kim Laurie said the loss of nearby parking spaces had driven away customers and resulted in a 50 per cent drop in sales.

Melbourne diners at the city’s “street feasts festival” on New Year’s Eve. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

She said her business relied on people driving past and parking out the front.

“It’s really devastating, I’d only just started to recover from the lockdown,” she said.

Chapel Street Precinct general manager Chrissie Maus said any move to keep dining bays operating all year would require investment from businesses for heating and shelter.

“If done properly, and if this summer is a success, then we will keep an open mind to more permanent professionally finished parklets in parts of the street,” she said.

She said her association was seeking to survey all traders in the precinct by the end of January.

“We will reserve our judgment until we take the time to undertake a detailed survey and really talk to as many of our 2200 businesses as possible.”

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