ALLOWING indoor dining with patron and density levels needs to be included when the Mildura electorate moves into the Third Step of the Victoria Government’s roadmap to reopening.
Member for Mildura Ali Cupper said outdoor dining allowances under Step Three, which Premier Daniel Andrews has said was likely to be implemented this week, would only be viable in her electorate in the short-term.
“There’s no doubt our climate is unique to the state and, as such, consideration needs to be given to allow our hospitality industry the ability to have indoor dining as soon as possible,” she said.
“I will continue to lobby Premier Andrews to consider more relaxed dining restrictions in our electorate to reflect our unique situation.”
Premier Andrews on Monday announced funding for hospitality venues in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria to broaden outdoor dining facilities moving into summer.
“There’s no doubt having more outdoor dining during summer months will be a terrific initiative for places like metropolitan Melbourne and other areas of regional Victoria,” Ms Cupper said.
“But the data shows a quarter of days in September and October have maximum temperatures above 30 degrees and it’s not unusual to have days in the 40s in November.
“The further we move into summer the higher the temperatures. In December and January we can have 10 to 20 days in the 40s.
“The roadmap as is currently stands only allows indoor dining to start at the end of November, at which time the days will be far too hot for people to safely sit outside to dine.”
Ms Cupper welcomed Premier Andrews’ announcement on Monday of financial support for some sole traders, which was one of the key points of her four-point plan for recovery in the Mildura electorate.
“In the past couple of days Premier Andrews and the Government have announced some key support for small to medium-sized businesses, and now sole traders, which is hugely encouraging,” she said.
“To allow beauty services in Step Three was also something I had lobbied for, so it’s great to see there are some concessions being made for that industry as well.”
