NSW Government delivers new initiatives and $66 million to support outdoor dining and events

The NSW Government is delivering a raft of initiatives along with $66 million in funding to support the return of alfresco dining, outdoor activations and events return.

The funding provides 5,000 hospitality businesses a $5,000 grant to get their outdoor dining venture off the ground – from helping to set-up curb-side dining or a pub-style courtyard.

In addition to the permanent easing of rules for dining on footpaths and public spaces, the Government is also temporarily allowing outdoor dining on privately-owned bowling greens and carparks, meaning businesses can expand outdoors on almost any piece of land they own to welcome more customers.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said as the state opens up to the fully vaccinated, NSW will be ready for people eager to enjoy a meal and a day out with friends and family. 

Treasurer Kean notes “Alfresco dining is not only a great way to dine, it’s a safe way to socialise as we open up. That’s why we are supporting new outdoor entertainment and dining precincts to pop up right across the state through our $66 million Alfresco Restart initiative.

NSW Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said the State Government is doing all it can to revive the hospitality and entertainment industries, while ensuring people can safely socialise in the sunshine.

Minister Dominello advised “after a long winter, it’s time for Sydney to enjoy a meal or drink in the sunshine and the NSW Government is committed to helping businesses do that in time for summer.”

NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the Government’s Alfresco Restart Package will help the hospitality, arts, and music sectors get back on their feet after a long winter in lockdown noting “after many months in lockdown, the people of NSW are ready to enjoy themselves, so we’ve thrown out the rule book with new temporary alfresco measures, while also making last year’s trials permanent.”

The Alfresco Restart initiatives being rolled out from November include:

• The Festival of Place - including the Long Summer Nights Program at the Rocks, Darling Harbour and The Domain, Streets as Shared Spaces Program, Summer Night Fund Program and Open Streets Program;

• Emergency temporary alfresco measures for outdoor dining in parks or on private land with the owner's consent; and

• $5,000 grants for hospitality businesses to establish new alfresco settings;

• Permanent outdoor dining as an exempt development for pubs and small bars state-wide.

This package is part of the NSW Government’s efforts to slash red tape and support businesses and communities to recover from the pandemic.

For more info, visit planning.nsw.gov.au/alfresco-restart-package