ON completion of the Forest Road Streetscape Project, Hurstville Council will offer business owners within the project area the chance to apply for an outdoor dining lease for a three-year rent-free agreement.
Councillor Con Hindi said he was pleased that the project was now under way as it was one of his key objectives as mayor.
"The introduction of outdoor dining opportunities in Hurstville's CBD will be most positive as it has the potential to encourage more people to dine outdoors and enjoy the new revitalised surrounds for the long-term," he said.
"If local businesses can prosper this greatly helps to improve our local economy and creates more opportunities for everyone including the creation of local jobs.
"We have the perfect climate for outdoor dining especially in the summer months when people tend to be out and about making the most of extra daylight hours.
The outdoor dining scheme would be subject to approval under the NSW Roads Act.
Stage one works, at the cost of $3.2 million, include new paving, street lighting, new street tree planting, garbage bins that encourage public place recycling and street furniture.
It is expected to be completed over an eight-month period.
"Following its completion, a council report will be tabled in the future detailing how the free lease agreement option will be introduced in 2016," Cr Hindi said.
Do you think the outdoor dining lease for a three-year rent-free period is a good idea?
