The Local Government Association of South Australia (LGASA) is funding the development of integrated model guidelines for outdoor dining.
LGASA President Mayor David O’Loughlin said the LGASA and other stakeholders, including the Australian Hotels Association (AHA), view the complexity of State development and liquor licencing laws as a challenge for hotels, restaurants and councils.
“We’ve talked to the AHA and the Commissioner for Consumer and Business Services and a group of Councils with ‘mainstreet’ precincts and the LGA Board has approved research and development funding to develop model guidelines that Councils can tailor to meet local needs.
“Thriving local businesses are incredibly important to local communities and the growth in outdoor dining in recent years is a prime example of how Councils can leverage their public realm assets for the benefit of local businesses and the broader community.
“We often find that as councils are the local interface, the challenge of understanding how disparate laws impact on one site falls to them, so this is another great opportunity for us to add value.”
Mayor O’Loughlin said councils put considerable effort into supporting local business from investment in local roads and footpaths, to administration of the food safety system.
“We often find that outdoor eating premises are unable to provide adequate parking on their premises as well so local traffic and parking management becomes another complicating issue.
“These guidelines will form part of a comprehensive economic development and de-regulation strategy being developed by the LGA to further support Councils.”
Mayor O’Loughlin said the LGA, with Councils, the Department of Planning Transport and Infrastructure and the Minister, is also developing a Model Development Act Enforcement Policy for Unlawful Development.
“The issue of when and how Councils should enforce breaches of the State Parliament’s Development Act and when they should not has been a challenge.
“We want Councils to exercise discretion based on principles of good governance and administrative practice and without feeling they will be under attack when they do so.”
