COUNCIL’S plans to put in place its new Alfresco Dining Local Law, Policy and Fee Schedule has hit a snag.
Councillors have been concerned about the lack of regulation regarding alfresco dining areas.
While they all agree alfresco dining boosts the vitality of the city, they feel it needs to be better controlled.
The law will contain location requirements for alfresco areas, alfresco dining furniture requirements operating require-ments including hours of operation and table service and fees for the licence application and use of public space.
Initially, fees for alfresco dining will start from $25 per square metre per year.
However, Councillor Noel Semmens was absent from the meeting and councillors Bert Tudori, Jennifer MacGill and Judy McEvoy all declared a financial interest in the matter.
This left five councillors.
Councillor Laurance Good-man felt he had only a minor interest in the matter and wanted the remaining councillors to deem the interest trivial.
However, part of the process required him leaving the room, meaning only four councillors were left.
This is below the number required for a quorum under council’s standing orders – hence the matter had to lapse.
Council CEO Garry Hunt said he would pursue the matter with Local Government Minister Paul Omodei to have the quorum rules amended.
