Expressions of Interest called for dining deck trial

Published on 04 May 2022

The City of Launceston has advertised an Expressions of Interest process for local hospitality businesses to take part in a trial of a portable outdoor dining deck.

Thanks to a $50,000 'Ready for Business' grant program — supported by the Tasmanian Government through the Department of State Growth — the trial will see a dining deck constructed to provide outdoor dining facilities in areas where it has not previously been possible.

Businesses registering their interest in the trial will be assessed against a range of criteria in order for the Council to select the successful trial participant or participants.

Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said the 12-month trial would provide data on usage, economic activity, and street vibrancy, as well as identify challenges and opportunities for future parklet projects. 

"While there are currently more than 60 businesses offering outdoor dining options in Launceston, there are some areas where outdoor dining has not previously been possible due to a lack of footpath space," Mayor van Zetten said.

"The portable dining deck project seeks to address this by trialling a deck which will be located in an on-street parking space.

"We hope this will be a learning project for Northern Tasmanian hospitality businesses to better understand the opportunities and challenges of parklet style street additions, and provide an evidence base we can all learn from," Mayor van Zetten said.

"While Launceston boasts a wide array of businesses with outdoor dining — including cafes, restaurants and takeaway shops — there are opportunities for us to boost economic activity and vibrancy through reimagining the way we use infrastructure like parking spaces. 

"The trial will provide insights into how to support hospitality businesses to deliver on a more vibrant city for all.

"We're very interested to see the appetite from hospitality businesses to be part of the trial, and we look forward to businesses submitting their Expressions of Interest."

Information on the Expressions of Interest process can be found here.

Submissions will close at 9am on Monday, May 23.