MILDURA Rural City Council says it is expanding its support for local hospitality operators impacted by COVID-19 restrictions with the installation of temporary space cube parklets in the CBD this week.
The parklets have been installed at three locations – in front of the Mildura Brewery, Curry and Tandoor and The Province – aimed at providing additional outdoor dining options in the popular dining and entertainment precinct.
Mildura Mayor Jason Modica said this would allow venues to cater for more diners within current social distancing restrictions, which limit how many people can gather indoors.
“By activating more outdoor dining areas it provides our hard-working local hospitality sector with more opportunities to bounce back from the extremely difficult 12 months they’ve just been through due to the pandemic and its restrictions,” Cr Modica said.
“It also provides our community with more outdoor dining options.
“The space cube parklets have been hired by council as part of a trial, which will run through until June this year.”
Councils in both metropolitan Melbourne and other large centres are conducting similar trials.
Hire of the parklets is funded by the Victorian Government and is among a raft of initiatives council has developed in conjunction with Mildura City Heart and Mildura Regional Development to support local businesses impacted by the pandemic.
The new temporary parklets will take up a small number of existing car parking spaces.
Several parallel parking spaces will be established to compensate for a small net reduction in parking spaces in the immediate area.
This week’s expansion of outdoor dining options follows the offer late last year of free umbrella sleeves for eligible cafes, restaurants and other hospitality businesses, as well as the popular roaming entertainment by local artists in the CBD and riverfront areas on weekends as part of Council’s support for the sector amid the pandemic.
Council has so far installed 40 umbrella sleeves at locally-operated cafes and restaurants in Mildura, Merbein and Red Cliffs. Businesses can still apply for umbrella sleeves by visiting www.mildura.vic.gov.au or calling 5018 8100.
