Outdoor dining project to be extended and expanded
Published on 25 August 2021
Maribyrnong’s outdoor dining campaign will continue until mid-next year following overwhelming community support for the initiative. It will also be expanded to increase parklet and pop up park activation in Footscray and West Footscray.
Almost fifty parklets were created, by converting underused parking spaces outside businesses into outdoor seating areas, to increase the dining capacity of cafes and restaurants across the municipality following the introduction of social distancing restrictions at the start of the pandemic.
Additionally, there was a road closure to enable outdoor dining along a section of Ballarat Street, Yarraville and a lane in Yewers Street, Footscray was closed and converted into outdoor dining. Byron Square in Footscray was also converted into a pop up park to enable outdoor dining there.
Originally a temporary measure to extend the footprint of the venues outdoor spaces, the outdoor dining program has been embraced by our community. Feedback from more than a thousand outdoor dining patrons supported an extension of the trial, recognizing the program has supported community connection during COVID, and the vast majority want to see this continue.
Two thirds of host businesses surveyed also reported an increase in trade.
A structural review has confirmed the temporary parklets will stand up to another eight months use until April 2022. Before then the community will be asked their views on whether the initiative should become a permanent feature, as part of the development of an outdoor dining policy to specifically test this option.
The outdoor dining in Ballarat Street, Yarraville has been one of the highlights of Council’s outdoor dining program, with community and trader calls to make this a permanent feature, but also feedback to indicate Anderson Street has experienced further traffic congestion as a result of the installation.
Council is investigating the opportunity to support outdoor dining as a permanent feature here as part of a wider global traffic study of the area, in collaboration with Metro Trains Melbourne. This study will provide recommendations regarding future traffic planning options in and around Yarraville Village.
The outdoor dining project was delivered with an initial State Government grant of $500,000 in 2020 with a second grant of $250,000 in 2021 supporting the extension and expansion.
A word from the Mayor, Cr Michael Clarke
The City of Maribyrnong showed great resilience in the face of a winter of lockdown in 2020 and re-emerged delighted to reconnect with family and friends in spring. Known for its foodie culture, the outdoor dining project has been embraced at the 40- plus locations throughout the municipality. It has added vibrancy to our already wonderful city and we look forward to seeing the project expanded in Footscray and West Footscray.
Maribyrnong News
Stay up-to-date with the latest news by subscribing to our eNews.
Photo by Rod Ceballos