Outdoor dining is set to become one of this summer's hottest attractions with the state government announcing more than $50 million in funding to improve infrastructure across the state.
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Businesses, community organisations and not-for-profits will be eligible for a grant of $2000, issued as vouchers, when they commit to spending at least that much towards outdoor initiatives.
The vouchers can be used to cover the costs associated with setting up marquees, heating, umbrellas, insurance and promoting outdoor dining and entertainment.
While the $14.5 million voucher program is estimated to be accessed by more than 7000 businesses, about 20 per cent of the vouchers are expected to be allocated to regional Victoria.
The vouchers are also accessible for hairdressers, beauty services, retailers, dance studios and gyms along with hospitality businesses.
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The Forge Pizzeria recently set up new outdoor dining infrastructure on the footpath outside its Armstrong Street location, including a marquee and outdoor gas heaters.
The Forge Pizzeria director Tim Matthews said businesses had to do whatever they could to make their outdoor spaces work.
"It's quite a bit of effort each day, really. There's the hire of the marquees and the other costs of infrastructure that you need to do, it all adds up," he said.
"We're pretty fortunate that we've got a space out the front, some places don't and they'll have to come up with something different to suit them, but you do whatever you can and then basically work out how to fund it after that.
"Hopefully we'll get some sun later but, at the moment, wind and rain are the biggest things we need to stop. Obviously marquees aren't cheap, they've got to be safe and secure and that comes at a cost as well, so we've just got to do whatever we can."
The state government roadmap out of lockdown heavily favours outdoor dining, with 30 people allowed inside and 100 outside in regional Victoria when the state reaches 70 per cent fully vaccinated and 150 inside and 500 outside at 80 per cent.
Mr Matthews said outdoor dining was crucial to businesses, but also widely embraced by customers.
"What we're finding from a customer point of view is a lot of them really actually are enjoying that. Obviously, there are some weather-related days where they'd like to be inside, but people are jumping on-board the outdoor dining like we haven't seen before, and it's just about taking as much opportunity of that space available, both for the customers and for the business," he said.
"You also walk down the street and some of that vibe is really back. I noticed over the weekend with a lot of the traders in Armstrong Street, in particular, that there was a real buzz around town. That's been missing and we want to see that come back as well."
Councils will also be able to access a $40 million funding stream to improve outdoor areas to take advantage of the easing restrictions as much as possible.
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Just more than half will be allocated to councils to help businesses operate outdoors with new street furniture, marquees and landscaping with regional councils to receive between $300,000 and $500,000 based on their level of business activity.
Meanwhile, the remaining $19.5 million will be given to councils to 'establish semi-permanent or permanent outdoor precincts'.
Councils were encouraged to use part of their allocation to waive permit fees and related charges and are required to agree not to create or impose any additional fees to businesses to use new or upgraded outdoor spaces.
Minister for Small Business Jaala Pulford announced the funding package on Monday and said it would provide support both for the present and the future.
"There's a task for all of us, councils included, to be supporting businesses that have borne a heavy burden, a really significant burden," she said.
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