Input vital on parklet policy and fee structure

BUSINESSES and community members are urged to have their say on parklets within Bass Coast to help shape a defined policy.

Consultation is running until December 15, with the shire looking to develop a policy and fee structure for parklets.

This includes:

• Provide a clear application and approval pathway for parklets

• Provide guidelines and requirements for parklets to be assessed

• Provide a mechanism for agreements, maintenance and permit renewals

Current approved 2022 Bass Coast Shire parklets include:

Inverloch

• Inlet Hotel, 3–5 The Esplanade, Inverloch

• The Invy Espy Hotel, 1 A’Beckett Street, Inverloch

• Community space outside Vela 9/Mookah, 11 A’Beckett Street, Inverloch

San Remo

• San Remo Hotel Hotel, 145 Marine Parade, San Remo

• Westernport Hotel, 161 Marine Parade, San Remo

Cowes

• Hotel Phillip Island, 11-13 The Esplanade, Cowes

• Ocean Reach Brewing, 47 Thompson Avenue, Cowes

• M&O Cafe and Tapas, 1/14 The Esplanade, Cowes

• Fig & Olive and Fork and Waffle, 115 Thompson Avenue, Cowes

The Inlet Hotel’s outdoor dining area was transformed through the measure, as it allowed to them to create a completely enclosed dining space made up of shipping containers. 

“Obviously COVID is not going away and tourists and locals want to be outside, depending on the weather” owner John McInnes remarked jokingly.  

“It was four shipping containers put together and it’s taken up about 3-4 car parks which hasn’t been of any (negative) significance.

“Everyone that’s got one (parklet) through the shire I think would be in favour to keep them.”

Responses from the call out will be collated into a Consultation report, available in January 2023. 

This will then inform development of a policy, guidelines and fee structure for parklets across Bass Coast, to be considered by Council in early 2023, aiming to be active by July 2023.