Yarra Council finds news ways to charge struggling café owners
The always controversial Yarra Council in Melbourne is now under fire from struggling café owners after charging them to check the structural safety of seats and tables in outdoor eating areas.
The new charges could amount to thousands of dollars and come just two years after the council encouraged owners to use car park spaces to attract customers and pay for the furniture themselves.
The council, which services Melbourne’s inner northern suburbs, set up the program in 2020 to help businesses address density issues during the pandemic.
However, the new charges now make these spaces untenable for several eatery owners.
Michael Craig who owns Red Sparrow Pizza in Collingwood removed $7000 worth of decking after the council released updated guidelines in October last year, which meant owners had to hire engineer to assess the “structural safety” of the parklet furniture.
Craig was quoted $2200 to evaluate his parklet on top of the $5000 yearly council fee for the parking bay.
He dismantled the setting on 31 June this year as he couldn’t afford to keep up the costs.
“The parklets had a wonderful impact on the community and added lots of character to the neighbourhood. Seeing locals spill out on to the streets, enjoying themselves, it was great,” Craig said.
“There was a lot of back and forth with the council, it was a real menace, and eventually we decided it just wasn’t worth it.”
Min Lokal Café owner Mal Panthi had a similar experience.
The Fitzroy café owner was quoted $1300 for a structural assessment on his decking, which cost $10,000 and was approved in 2020.
“We’re already doing it so tough,” Panthi said.
“I can’t afford this.”
Yarra City Council has defended the costs.
“In transitioning to a permanent program, businesses are required to provide drawings to ensure their parklet meets the safety and building compliance standards required for a more permanent structure,” a spokesperson said.
“This practice is commonplace across most councils with a similar program and is required to ensure public safety.”
Executive Director of Small Business Australia Bill Lang said the council was out fo touch with traders.
“The City of Yarra seems to take the view that rather than support local businesses, they should instead see them as an opportunity to raise revenue for the local council,” Lang said.
Irit Jackson, 10th August 2022
