The City of Greater Bendigo is standing firm on its decision that a refurbished outdoor dining area at Masons of Bendigo does not comply with the city’s “code of practice”.
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The award-winning restaurant turned to social media at the weekend to express its frustration about issues between it and council over the refurbishments.
A picture showing the shop front – which now has a white picket fence instead of a black screen – was uploaded onto Facebook on Saturday had received 1759 “likes” by midday today.
Masons had captioned the picture saying that council did not feel the upgrade was in keeping with the “look” of the CBD.
The restaurant asked Facebook users to like the photo if they were in favour of the refurbishments.
In a press release issued this afternoon, the city’s director of planning and development Prue Mansfield said her team was working with Masons to “clarify any confusion over the introduction of al fresco dining barriers at the restaurant’s shop front”.
“The city appreciates Masons’ contribution to Bendigo’s colourful cultural and restaurant scene, but its picket fence barriers do not comply with the Outdoor Dining and Street Trading Code of Practice,” she said.
“Restaurant barriers must either be made of glass or low steel frames with canvas banners, and meet certain height requirements, so that the space appears visually ‘open’ to everyone on the street, even though it is actually separated off.”
Masons has been contacted for comment.
