Outdoor dining fees removed
RESTAURANT and cafe owners in The Hills will no longer have to pay application and rent fees for outdoor dining areas on council footpaths.
Earlier this year, the Hills Shire Council removed outdoor dining fees for businesses on Castle Hill’s main street.
Hills Mayor Michelle Byrne said council decided to expand the program after receiving feedback from business owners they would like to see it rolled out to other areas.
“I’m happy to say that we have now expanded the removal of outdoor dining fees across the shire and while there will still be an approval process for restaurant and cafe owners to have outdoor dining, we are waiving the fees,” she said.
Most small businesses with footway dining pay an annual cost of $960 - $1,440 plus the initial $180 application fee.
Bill and Merryne Diacos, who own restaurant Billy the Greek in Dural, said every dollar saved counts.
“To be able to provide outdoor dining without having to pay extra is a real bonus,” Mrs Diacos said.
Source: Hills Shire Times, Angela Ranke, 1st December 2015
Originally published as: Fees cut for Hills restaurants with outdoor dining on council land
