The Hobart City Council has decided to conduct an audit of all outdoor dining permits in the city after a recent incident where a truck collided with cafe furniture on Criterion Street. The collision was captured on CCTV footage, showing the truck hitting council-owned planter boxes and a white fence, which then pushed the furniture into patrons sitting outside, causing tables to shift and chairs to flip. Fortunately, there were no injuries resulting from the incident.
Alderman Louise Bloomfield proposed the audit during a council meeting, emphasizing the importance of maintaining compliance to ensure the safety of patrons enjoying alfresco dining. She highlighted the need to prevent businesses from exceeding approved boundaries, a practice she referred to as “barrier creep.” Bloomfield pointed out that in the case of Criterion Street, moving the barrier closer to the road was a contributing factor to the accident.
While the motion for the audit received a 9-1 vote in favor, Alderman Marti Zucco suggested focusing on high-risk outdoor dining sites, particularly those without car parking that provide a barrier for diners. Zucco emphasized the importance of setting up outdoor dining areas against buildings rather than along the kerb edge for enhanced safety.
Councillor John Kelly raised concerns about the potential risks associated with outdoor dining setups, citing an example on Elizabeth Street where tables were placed in a former parking space with minimal protection. Kelly stressed the need for responsible urban planning to mitigate any potential hazards that could jeopardize public safety.
However, not all council members agreed on the necessity of the audit. Councillor Ryan Posselt opposed the motion, arguing that the focus should be on broader safety issues in the Central Business District rather than solely on cafe furniture compliance. Posselt advocated for measures such as traffic calming, lower speed limits, and reducing the number of vehicles in the area to address inherent risks.
Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds expressed some reservations about the audit, acknowledging its importance but also raising concerns about potential confusion for businesses. Reynolds highlighted the need for a comprehensive outdoor dining policy to ensure pedestrian safety, particularly in areas where footpaths could pose risks due to erratic vehicle movements and high speed limits.
The audit process will involve council staff conducting spot checks on outdoor dining venues to verify compliance with permit boundaries. Businesses will be required to submit photos demonstrating adherence to regulations, with the council overseeing the verification process at no additional cost to ratepayers. The initiative aims to enhance safety standards for alfresco dining experiences across Hobart and promote responsible urban development practices in the city.
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