‘Live Love Local’ message for Port Phillip recovery

City of Port Phillip
Parklets, play streets and pop-ups will be a key feature of summer in Port Phillip as Council works closely with traders to reinvigorate the City under its COVID-19 economic recovery roadmap.

Parklets, play streets and pop-ups will be a key feature of summer in Port Phillip as Council works closely with traders to reinvigorate the City under its COVID-19 economic recovery roadmap.

Council’s Live Love Local campaign aims to activate public space when restrictions ease by allowing extended footpath trading for hospitality venues, as well as creating new pedestrian areas in neighbourhoods, parks and along the foreshore.

Port Phillip Council Mayor Bernadene Voss said this innovative use of public space will support both business and social distancing requirements.

“While restaurants and cafes have been unable to provide indoor dining, we’ve been working closely with traders to come up with creative ways of using outdoor space, giving them some much-needed hope for a successful summer,” Cr Voss said.

“Very soon we hope to start seeing signs of economic recovery in Port Phillip. Our community has had a tough year, but we’re looking forward to being able to safely welcome people back to Melbourne’s playground.”

The creation of Business Parklets involves the temporary repurposing of parking bays outside businesses to increase footpath trading, while offering patrons a safe environment to enjoy a meal. Construction is already underway at some sites.

Sister of Soul restaurant owner Daniel Clerici has been working closely with Council to design and develop an innovative solution to the density limits his St Kilda business faces once it reopens.

“Our parklet is the perfect solution to expand our trading area and maximise the number of patrons we can accommodate. The widening of the footpath at the intersection of Shakespeare Grove and Acland Street, and improvements to the pedestrian zone, will allow our customers and passers-by to safely social distance,” Mr Clerici said.

“Having witnessed the rise of outdoor dining in places like New York and London, and recently, regional Victoria, I knew we would be doing something similarly exciting in Port Phillip. It’s been a tough few months for Sister of Soul, but we’re finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

“Port Phillip Council has been great to work with and, where I thought there might be issues with permitting or restrictions, they have offered up creative solutions which will help Sister of Soul get back on its feet in time for summer.”

Businesses can also access a fast-tracked permitting process through Council to gain approval from neighbouring properties to extend their footpath trading area. Sister of Soul is among more than 170 businesses being assisted with footpath trading, street closure, activation and parklet requests.

Image: A render of how the Sister of Soul outdoor dining parklet will look. Credit: Jon Lyons, Rightside Creative Solutions

The Council Election Period for the City of Port Phillip is until 6 pm Saturday 24 October. In compliance with the Local Government Act 2020, this message has been authorised by the Chief Executive Officer of the City of Port Phillip, 99A Carlisle Street St Kilda.

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