Penrith City Council will continue to support the community as the City emerges from lockdown, with Council extending its outdoor dining fee relief for local businesses until 30 June 2022.
Council previously waived all charges relating to outdoor and footpath dining permits for 32 cafes and restaurants in the Penrith and St Marys CBD throughout July, when they were first limited to take-away operations, and again throughout the lockdown in August and September. These fees had also been waived during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021.
Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown OAM said the aim of this extended financial relief is to help business owners through this period as they reopen their doors to customers.
“Council is thrilled that restrictions are lifting and our local businesses can once again offer their services to the Penrith community,” Cr McKeown OAM said.
“We understand it will take time to recover from the pandemic and Council hopes that by waiving outdoor dining fees through to July next year, businesses will have greater confidence as they navigate their new normal and work towards returning to standard operations.
“Our City has shown its resilience and now it is crucial we support one another through the recovery phase.
“We look forward to seeing residents catch up with friends over a coffee at their local café or enjoying a meal with their families at their favourite restaurant as our local economy bounces back.”
Council is encouraging permit holders to expand their outdoor dining areas, with written permission required from neighbouring businesses. These approvals will be free and fast-tracked in a bid to help reactivate the CBD. For more information businesses can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit Council’s website at penrith.city/outdoordining.
As local businesses reopen, Ripples is also welcoming back its members after remaining closed during Greater Sydney’s lockdown.
Ripples have reactivated Swim, Gym and Full Facility memberships, however, the team has chosen not to charge existing and new members, allowing them to access the Penrith and St Marys centres for free until 1 December 2021.
“Council thanks all of our loyal Ripples members for their patience over the last few months and we are pleased to see the community returning to our centres ready to get active again,” Cr McKeown said.
To find out more about how Council and other community services can provide support during this time, visit penrith.city/covid19.
