By Parker McKenzie
For a second time, permits for parklets for outdoor dining throughout Knox have been extended for another year.
The parklets were first built in September 2020 following the first Covid-19 lockdowns in Victoria through the state government’s Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package, where Knox City Council received $500,000 to deliver and support outdoor dining and entertainment spaces.
Cr Marcia Timmers-Leitch said multiple businesses have received “significant support from this fantastic program.”
“They have been valuable well beyond what the initial thought was going to be for this program, we’ve actually already extended their tenancy once,” she said.
“The fact is these parklets are doing the job, and they are doing a really good job for our community.”
Cr Sorina Grasso, who moved the motion, said she was “a big fan” of the program.
The parkets were set to be removed on 31 August unless the council resolved to extend them. Based on feedback that the parklets were “well utilized with no maintenance issues reported,” council officers recommended they be extended for another year until 31 August 2023 alongside the introduction of a permit fee based on street trading and commercial use of the footpath.
The motion was passed unanimously.
The outdoor dining parklets are located at Chili and Basil Thai and Kokoro Asian Café in Bayswater, Noos noodles in Wantirna, Junior Tan and 24 Spices in Bayswater, Paddy’s Tavern and Italianissimo in Ferntree Gully, Schokolade, Studfield Charcoal Chicken and Code 9 Café in Wantirna South.
