Hobsons Bay extends outdoor trading pilot
Published on 19 May 2021
Following extensive consultation with local businesses and residents, Council is pleased to announce that the Hobsons Bay Business Has Heart Outdoors program will be extended until 31 May 2022. During this extended pilot, all participating businesses will be able to retain their existing extended trading areas.
Developed as part of Council’s response to support local businesses during COVID-19, the program has allowed more than 190 local businesses to operate within strict social distancing limitations by extending their trading areas onto footpaths, parking spaces and other public spaces. Council’s economic modelling indicates that the hospitality sector has generally rebounded strongly since the easing of lockdown restrictions in late 2020, and access to free outdoor trading zones has been an important contribution.
The outdoor trading areas were originally set to end in March 2021 but were extended until the end of May 2021 while Council sought community feedback to determine the future of the program.
Extensive consultation with both participating and non-participating businesses, as well as residents from across Hobsons Bay provided overwhelming support for the program.
Of the almost 1000 responses received via Participate Hobsons Bay, Council’s online community engagement portal, 97 per cent were in favour of a continuation of the program either on a year-round, seasonal or extended trial basis. Of these, 59 per cent would prefer all year round.
The continuation of this trial period will allow for a full year of extended trading and enable Council to assess ongoing outdoor trading opportunities. As of August 2021 existing footpath trading fees will be reinstated, including for outdoor trading areas.
Council aims to have a draft policy available for public consultation by the end of the year, with consideration for endorsement in early 2022.
Quotes attributable to Mayor of Hobsons Bay Cr Jonathon Marsden:
“The feedback we received provided an invaluable insight into how the community has embraced outdoor dining and the positive impact it has had on the local business community as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“One thing we know about this pandemic is that conditions can change very quickly and we’re excited to be able to offer our local businesses with the ongoing flexibility to continue trading in a Covid-safe way, should the need arise.”