Support package to boost outdoor dining, events

Hospitality businesses will be able to apply for grants of $5,000 to set up outdoor dining spaces and planning rules will be further eased to make it easier for businesses to get permission.

The NSW Government is also offering local councils funding to promote outdoor events and revive street spaces.

The trial easing of planning rules which allowed all pubs and small bars to apply to use the footpath and public spaces to serve diners alfresco under exempt development rules has now been made permanent. The changes, trialled from October 2020, aligned pubs and small bars with the existing planning rules for cafes and restaurants.

The rules for alfresco dining on public and private land are also being temporarily changed to include parks, registered clubs and open spaces. Hospitality providers will be able to apply to set up alfresco dining as an exempt development with landowner’s consent. These temporary measures will run for seven months from now until 18 April 2022.

Up to 5,000 hospitality businesses can also apply to the Government for a $5,000 grant to get their outdoor dining venture off the ground.

For more information, visit Alfresco Restart Package.