Supporting outdoor dining

Activating Alfresco Rebate Program for small business

What local governments can do

Promote the rebate of up to $5000 available towards eligible costs associated for hospitality businesses to establish, expand or improve their alfresco settings.

How they can do it

Businesses are eligible for a one-time rebate of up to $5000 through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) for the establishment, expansion or improvement of alfresco settings.

As the tier of government closest to local businesses, local governments are encouraged to share and promote this initiative with their communities through social media channels, newsletters and other methods of communication.

Interested businesses should be referred to the program details below.

Reduce red tape to enable alfresco dining

What local governments can do

Suspend certain local law and policy provisions to enable outdoor dining.

How they can do it

Most local governments regulate the use of outdoor spaces through policies and local laws. To make it easier for businesses, local governments may consider waiving certain provisions in existing policies and local laws to enable outdoor dining.

Consistent with COVID powers introduced in 2020, local governments can suspend part of their local laws under Section 10.4 of the Local Government Act 1995 through a resolution of council. 

Streamline outdoor dining permit applications 

How local governments can do this

Local governments are encouraged to allow alfresco dining to operate on a short-term, temporary basis without approval under certain circumstances.

To do this, local governments may consider suspending certain policy and local law provisions and adopting a policy position that allows alfresco dining, where:

• it is operated by the owner of the adjoining hospitality business
• it doesn’t involve preparation of food or playing of amplified music
• appropriate pedestrian space is maintained on the footpath 
• public liability policy of $10 million is maintained by the operators of the business.

Encourage the use of other public and private spaces for outdoor dining

How local governments can do this

Local governments are encouraged to relax requirements to allow temporary alfresco dining in expanded areas like reserves, parklets and other spaces adjacent to hospitality businesses under certain circumstances.

To do this, local governments should consider suspending certain policy and local law provisions and adopting a policy position that allows alfresco dining, where:

• landowner consent has been provided
• it is operated by the owner of the adjoining hospitality business
• it doesn’t involve preparation of food or playing of amplified music
• outdoor dining does not become the predominant use.

Promote the streamlined Extended Trading Permits for liquor licensing in alfresco areas

How local governments can do this

The department has modified its Extended Trading Permit application processes to make it easier for businesses to acquire a liquor license for their expanded alfresco areas.

Local governments are encouraged to advise businesses of this initiative when engaging regarding alfresco approvals and/or grants.

Interested businesses should be referred to the details below.