Melbourne council to reintroduce fees for outdoor dining and buskers

Outdoor dining and busking fees may be reintroduced in Melbourne’s CBD as the city resumes normal operations after being impacted by Covid for more than 2 years.

On Tuesday, councillors at a City of Melbourne meeting will consider a tapered reintroduction of these fees.

Since October 2020, the council has waived more than $2.36 million in application and permit fees for alfresco dining and busking in an effort to support city businesses affected by the lockdowns.

According to acting Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece, the no fee decision helped restaurants and cafes recover as foot traffic gradually increased.

“Melbourne is springing back to life; the data tells us now is the right time to return to our regular outdoor dining permitting processes,” he said.

“By gradually reintroducing fees, we can continue to improve our neighbourhoods, build our city-shaping projects and deliver stellar events that make Melbourne the best place to live, work, study and visit.”

Fees for outdoor dining on footpath areas could be reintroduced for 1300 outdoor cafe permit holders from 1 November if councillors agree.

Council would offer a 50 per cent discount on fees for the use of sidewalk seating.

However, not all businesses will need to pay these rates.

At the meeting on Tuesday, the council will consider offering continued rate relief to buskers and businesses in the Docklands, an area that is still struggling to get back to pre-pandemic revenue.

Under the new proposal, permit fees would be waived for 107 outdoor dining premises in the harbour precinct until June 30, 2023.

Irit Jackson - 26-9-22