Dinner to move outside

By Shaun Inguanzo
ALFRESCO dining could be served up to central Dandenong food-lovers if a push by Greater Dandenong Council is successful.
But the Dandenong Retail Traders’ Association (DRTA) says streetscape improvements, including lighting for safety, are needed first if alfresco is to be embraced by traders.
The council is offering local food businesses a financial incentive for introducing alfresco dining at the front of their venues.
Dandenong Retail Traders’ Association chairman Roy Aspinall said the idea was very good and would work well with the new injection of nightlife entertainment into Dandenong, including the Pulse Tavern and Drum Theatre.
But Mr Aspinall said a promotion for people to usethe Thomas Street car park and improved lighting down Thomas Street were necessary if alfresco dining was to become a hit.
“We must make sure that not only Thomas Street is well lit as Walker Street is now, but that all laneways are properly lit,” he said.
“The DRTA has been pushing for quite a few years now to get laneways lit up.
“I personally have a letter from council dating back to April 2002 stating action would be taken within 12 months.”
Mr Aspinall said the lighting would need to be improved sooner rather than later.
“The thing is the city is certainly a lot safer than it once was, but its appearance doesn’t reflect that,” he said.
Over the next 12 months restaurateurs can take advantage of a reduced alfresco fee and receive ongoing advice to help promote the new dining.
In a statement the council said the alfresco idea was one of many improvements it had planned.
“Residents and shoppers can soon expect to see new bus shelters, more pedestrian way-finding signage and art projects in vacant shop windows,” it said.