Council will establish new outdoor dining spaces which can be used by local businesses in Upwey, following the wrap-up of temporary carpark dining in June.
The State Government has provided funding to create outdoor precincts that benefit industries impacted by COVID-19 restrictions and the wider community, which will be used to create new Sit, Meet and Eat spaces in Upwey’s Main Street.
The two spaces will take over five former carparks, turning them into permanent community spaces. These spaces will be open in late September.
Streeton Ward Councillor, Andrew Fullagar, said the new spaces were a result of Upwey’s enthusiasm for temporary outdoor dining in carparks during the pandemic.
“We saw how well and how quickly businesses in Upwey embraced temporary outdoor dining, setting up spaces for community members and visitors, to eat and chat during the height of restrictions,” Cr Fullagar said.
“Now that Council must wind back the temporary spaces, we were delighted to hear of the opportunity to permanently enhance the Main Street, and make it more people-friendly.
“It was a tough choice for Council, but Upwey is a great place for us to set up these Sit, Meet and Eat Spaces and we’re heartened by the support from the Upwey Community and local traders.
“These Sit, Meet and Eat spaces will be perfect for enjoying food, catching up with friends and adding vitality to the township.
“I’m pleased the first spaces are located here in Streeton and I’m excited to see how the community will embrace them.”
One of the new spaces will be created at the lower end of Main Street, near Tin Pan Alley and Maria Café, with the other on Morris Road next to The Fat Goat.
As part of construction, additional footpath, kerb and channel, drainage, landscaping and safety works will be conducted, with seating and tables to be provided in the Sit, Meet and Eat spaces.
Two existing trees on Main Street will be removed and will be replaced elsewhere in town, along with tree root vaults and a surface water passive irrigation system.
The Sit, Meet and Eat spaces will be open before the end of the year.
Council will be looking at how to repurpose its outdoor parklets, built during the pandemic and installed across the region, to support outdoor dining and community events, over coming months.
Funding for this project comes from the State Government’s CovidSafe Outdoor Activation Fund, with Council to design, build and manage the spaces.
