A section of Bendigo's central business district will be closed to traffic as outdoor dining expands beyond the footpath.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
From Wednesday, half of Bull Street, between Pall Mall and Hargreaves Street will shut until June 30, 2021.
Council announced the closure is to support hospitality venues in the street expand their outdoor dining offering amid the coronavirus pandemic.
READ MORE:
Andrew Lethlean, who owns two Bull Street venues, The Metropolitan Hotel and Tonic Bar, welcomed the concept.
"I think turning the whole of Bull Street into a dining and entertainment precinct will be awesome for everyone," Mr Lethlean said.
"This could be massive for Bendigo and it's a really exciting time for all traders and the community."
Mr Lethlean hopes the road closure will pave the way for permanent piazza-style dining on the street.
"If we do expand out and it can be a permanent fixture, that would be sensational," he said.
"Adding entertaining and dressing the street up with lighting and furniture would make it a huge attraction."
Mr Lethlean said his venues already cater for 50 outdoor diners, with the state government not permitting additional diners, irrespective of space.
The current restrictions allow for up to 50 diners seated outdoors and a maximum of 20 diners indoors, in two separate spaces.
Fifty-two water-filled barriers will be installed on Bull Street, as a further 40 concrete barriers are set to be installed across the city centre next week in View Street, Mackenzie Street, Hargreaves Street, Edwards Street and King Street.
The barriers are funded by a $500,000 grant from the state government to improve public infrastructure for the purpose of expanding outdoor dining.
READ MORE:
Council's director strategy and growth Bernie O'Sullivan said staff have met with 80 venues to discuss expanding their outdoor dining spaces and were processing 42 local laws applications.
"We have had really positive discussions with hospitality traders to talk about their options," Mr O'Sullivan said.
"For some, they have made the most of the footpath, others have elected to use car parking spaces."
Council said it is also supporting business to investigate installing temporary platforms and ramps to make their new spaces accessible.
