Last Chance for Assistance with expanding your Outdoor Dining

Wanting to expand the outdoor dining options for a COVID safe summer at your local bar or eatery? There’s still time.

Melton City Council’s Economic Development team has just put out the final call for businesses wanting Council support to develop or expand outdoor dining options at their premises.

The team has received requests for support from 48 businesses across the city mainly around the construction of footpath dining booths and parklets.

Project background

Victoria moved to COVID Safe Summer restrictions from 11:59pm on Sunday 6 December 2020.  Under these restrictions, hospitality venues can open for full indoor and outdoor service, with COVID Safe requirements including density quotients and masks indoors unless eating or drinking.

Council welcomed the Victorian Government’s announcement of support for businesses to develop or expand outdoor dining areas and appreciates that outdoor dining is an important part of the post-COVID-19 recovery. 

Council is supporting local business to return in a way that is safe, viable, and sustainable by cutting red tape and subsidising works that help expand outdoor dining options.

Throughout January Melton City Council’s Economic Development team conducted a business engagement campaign, speaking to hospitality venues eligible for Victorian Government funding to develop or expand outdoor dining areas.  

Council is still accepting Expressions of Interest from local businesses seeking help to successfully operate outdoors. 

Do you want to use the space on your front footpath? 
We have expedited the application process and slashed the fees. So far over 40 businesses have applied and been approved for this.

How about a shared space between you and the neighbouring business? 
Speak to your neighbours to join forces and attract more people by creating a shared space for dining. Council recently funded a series of dining booths in Hillside that help them create an outdoor dining area for their customers. 

Would you like to transform a parking space in front of your premises into a 'parklet' outdoor eating space? 
Melton City Council has limited number of parklets that they are able to subsidise in order to help expand your outdoor capacity onto a nearby parking space.  Two businesses in Melton South and six in Caroline Springs have already transformed a parking space into a parklet. 

 The Benefits of Expanded Outdoor Dining: 

• Improved visibility and street presence

• Extra dining spaces under COVID Safe restrictions

• Increased visitors to the precinct 

• Improved streetscape amenity

Funding

Melton City Council has funding available through the Victorian Government’s Outdoor Eating and Entertainment program to fully or partially fund built infrastructure that helps to expand outdoor dining options.

This may include:

• Weather proof shields

• Booths

• Parklets

• Planting & Greenery

 This does not include:

• Furniture

• Heaters

• Umbrellas

To get started:

1.     Let us know that you’d like to expand your outdoor dining options and any ideas you have for achieving this, by completing the Expression of Interest form.

2.     Our Economic Development Team will be in touch within five business days to discuss your ideas and options and look at next steps.

3.     We’ll work with you to fast track any applications and permits, look at funding options  and help you co-ordinate the elements of your proposal.

Got questions?

Contact our Economic Development Team:

Phone:  9747 7157 (8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday)
Email: venturemelton@melton.vic.gov.au

Randi Wagner
Place Engagement & Activation Officer