More Time to Outdoor Dine

On 23 March 2021, City of Boroondara announced council’s COVIDSafe outdoor dining measures would be extended until 30 June 2021.

Last year, City of Boroondara allowed special use of public spaces and waived permit fees for outdoor dining originally planned to be in place until 31 March 2021. In November 2020, council converted parking bays along Glenferrie Road into raised dining areas, or ‘parklets’, and civic spaces such as Beswicke Square into alfresco dining spaces as part of their ‘COVID-19 business recovery’.

While all outdoor trading permit fees continue to be waived, some parklets were removed as originally intended if under-utilised and/or impacting on parking and traffic amenities. Five of Glenferrie Road’s parklets were removed at the end of March, with seven set to remain until the end of June. Council explained that these decisions were determined through a parklet usage audit and community and trader consultation.

Dee, owner of El Churro Cafe.

Dee, owner of El Churro Cafe (710 Glenferrie Road), felt “lucky” they share their parklet with equally eager restaurants when asked whether they wanted their parklet to be extended. She has been “very happy” with the constant communication from council, who installed a foot traffic counter in her front window. However, she noted a lack of information about parklet upkeep left her having to water the plants with no maintenance visits.

The option to extend the parklet outside Ribs & Burgers (862 Glenferrie Road) was not presented to manager Adrian. While he did notice gardeners visiting, he personally only heard from council upon parklet installation and removal. While he expected the parklet to be removed in March, Adrian hopes the alfresco option so attractive to customers will return next summer.

Remaining Glenferrie Road parklet outside Piccolina Gelateria and Samurai