Wagga City Council's economic development officer believes the city has a "valuable perspective" to offer the NSW government as it embarks on its coronavirus recovery.
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Dominic Kennedy says Wagga is eager to contribute to the state government's "alfresco taskforce", which is reviewing how businesses can take advantage of outdoor dining.
NSW Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello first announced the taskforce on September 21 as part of the government's plans for what it calls a "COVID-Safe summer".
However, Mr Kennedy believes the taskforce is currently "city-centric" and said Wagga Council had already introduced its own policies to help hospitality venues.
"We do have processes that we implemented a while ago, like we don't have development application in order to do alfresco dining or footpath dining, whereas some city [councils] do," he said.
"But there's also things that we could learn from them. So that's why we'd like to be involved in the taskforce."
His calls come as the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment opens public consultation on proposed changes to planning laws.
The changes, which would allow outdoor dining as exempt development for small bars and pubs in all NSW local government areas, are on public exhibition for community feedback until Sunday 8 November 2020.
If approved, the trial would run between 1 December 2020 and 31 October 2021.
Mr Kennedy said Council was collaborating with advisory group BEC Business Advice, as well as the Wagga Business Chamber, to support businesses in the city.
In other news:
Wagga Business Chamber business manager Serena Hardwick said her organisation was currently consulting with local businesses.
"One of the things is actually the extension of dining and goods on footpath displays and helping people go through that process to apply for that," she said.
Wagga businesswoman Vickie Burkinshaw, owner of The Curious Rabbit cafe and bookstore, said she was expanding her outdoor dining service in anticipation of the summer months.
"I think, if you build it, people will come. And I think people get really excited about the idea that you're able to take the inside out as well. So I think the council is doing a really great job to help us facilitate outdoor dining," she said.
A Liquor & Gaming NSW spokesperson said councils interested in participating in the taskforce could contact the Office of Local Government.
"The taskforce will also be providing information and advice to support councils and make it easier for them to engage with the streamlined process," they said.
Catie McLeod
Catie is a reporter at The Daily Advertiser covering health and Wagga City Council. You can contact her on c.mcleod@dailyadvertiser.com.au or 0475 819 651.
Catie is a reporter at The Daily Advertiser covering health and Wagga City Council. You can contact her on c.mcleod@dailyadvertiser.com.au or 0475 819 651.
