Yahoo Finance Perrottet to feed $66 million to revive outdoor dining
The streets of New South Wales (NSW) will soon be flourishing with people and outdoor dining opportunities, the Premier hopes.
Premier Dominic Perrottet has announced new grants of up to $500,000 for councils and $5,000 for businesses to increase outdoor dining opportunities.
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“Those alfresco dining changes that were brought in last year as a temporary measure will now become permanent,” Perrottet said.
“We know they've been incredibly successful in the Sydney CBD ... and we want to bring life and laughter into the city during summer.”
Under the new rules, there will be outdoor dining exemptions on footpaths for small bars and pubs, allowing them to use the public footpath for additional seating.
“There's no reason why this should be something that's just limited to Europe, we want to have it here in Sydney and right across our state,” Perrottet said.
Councils across the state can apply for grants of up to $500,000 to improve their high-street amenities.
“We want to make sure that every single neighbourhood flourishes and has activity and action right through the summer months and beyond. So, these grants will help them with that,” Perrottet said.
Individual businesses can apply for grants of $5,000 on a first-come-first-serve basis for 5,000 businesses that want to embrace alfresco dining.
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said as the state opened up to the fully vaccinated, NSW would be ready for people eager to enjoy a meal and a day out with friends and family.
“Alfresco dining is not only a great way to dine, it’s a safe way to socialise as we open up,” Kean said.
“That’s why we are supporting new outdoor entertainment and dining precincts to pop up right across the state through our $66 million Alfresco Restart initiative.”
The Minister for Digital and Customer Service, Victor Dominello, said the NSW Government was doing all it could to revive the hospitality and entertainment industries, while ensuring people could safely socialise in the sunshine.
“After a long winter, it’s time for Sydney to enjoy a meal or drink in the sunshine and the NSW government is committed to helping businesses do that in time for summer,” Dominello said.
“We’re providing 5,000 hospitality businesses a $5,000 grant to get their outdoor dining venture off the ground - whether that’s to help set-up kerbside dining or a pub-style courtyard, we’re here to turn their ideas into reality.”
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