Access Canberra is set to waive outdoor dining permit application costs for cafes, restaurants and bars impacted by the season’s bushfires.
In a statement, Access Canberra said ACT businesses with an existing outdoor dining permit would be offered a 50 per cent reduction in fees, while new businesses would pay no application fees.
The announcement followed a hospitality industry roundtable discussion hosted by the ACT Government last week to discuss ways to support the local tourism industry following the fires.
“The industry is one of the biggest employers in the ACT, and the Government wants to ensure that the sector can continue to grow and provide more jobs for more Canberrans,” Access Canberra said.
It said for a business renewing its outdoor dining permit of 40 square metres in Canberra’s primary commercial areas the initiative represented an annual saving of over $1200.
“The past few weeks have been tough for our city as people have had to stay indoors and cancel holidays, putting a strain on small local businesses,” Access Canberra said.
“This move is a practical way that the Government can help businesses to grow and take advantage of improving conditions.”
It said currently there was a one-month free trial for businesses to activate the use of public space, while new applicants from 1 February would receive a twelve-month free trial.
“The significantly reduced fee will apply to all outdoor existing dining permit holders,” Access Canberra said.
