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Tuesday, 4 June, 2002 - 22:00
Alfresco dining’s in Northbridge is set to get more expensive, as Julie-anne Sprague reports.
ALFRESCO licence holders in Perth and Northbridge are outraged over increased operating costs, delivered in the form of an alfresco licence renewal fee by the Perth City Council last week.
Several restaurants in the area received renewal notices that were up to three times the amount charged on last year’s bill.
Vino Vino owner Giuseppe Pietracatella says his bill has increased from $940 to $2211.
“It’s more than twice last year’s bill,” Mr Pietracatella says.
“What makes it worse is that we only use the space for six months of the year. It’s coming into winter now and we don’t use the area. We can’t use the area during lunch-time because it is used for parking, which is more money for the council.”
Sorrento Restaurant also received its renewal notice last week. The bill jumped significantly, rising from $1478.40 to $2605.36.
The restaurant occupies 15.53sq m of paving and 26.75sq m of parking area that can only be used after 5.30pm.
The new charges are not new news, however. Perth City Council adopted a staggered payment system to its Alfresco Dining Policy introduced in late 2000.
In 2000, Northbridge restaurants were charged $38/sq m, but from July this year will pay the full fee increase of $75/sq m.
The cost to restaurants in Perth city has risen from $50/sq m in 2000 to $100/sq m from July.
Restaurant and Catering Association president Harry Ferrante says the 12-month alfresco fee is excessive.
“I have a survey that the National Restaurant and Catering Association conducted into alfresco dining which shows an average price at $45 per square metre,” Mr Ferrante says.
“Our rate is $150 per square metre, it’s the most expensive in the country.”
Mr Ferrante says the rate the council has begun to charge has increased to be on par with the cost of leasing a building.
“The outdoor charge by the Perth City Council is more or less equivalent per square metre to what it is to rent the space inside,” he says. “ On top of that you have to pay to clean the outside area.
“The Perth City Council then makes more money by charging rental for the car bays and getting money from the City of Perth car parks.”
Mr Ferrante says alfresco dining is instrumental in reducing crime rates.
He says if the council put money back into the precinct, he would be less agitated.
“What does the council contribute? Where does the revenue go? If they used those funds to reduce crime and promote the area then I’d most probably have no exception to it,” Mr Ferrante says.
A spokesperson for Perth City Council was unable for comment.
ALFRESCO licence holders in Perth and Northbridge are outraged over increased operating costs, delivered in the form of an alfresco licence renewal fee by the Perth City Council last week.
Several restaurants in the area received renewal notices that were up to three times the amount charged on last year’s bill.
Vino Vino owner Giuseppe Pietracatella says his bill has increased from $940 to $2211.
“It’s more than twice last year’s bill,” Mr Pietracatella says.
“What makes it worse is that we only use the space for six months of the year. It’s coming into winter now and we don’t use the area. We can’t use the area during lunch-time because it is used for parking, which is more money for the council.”
Sorrento Restaurant also received its renewal notice last week. The bill jumped significantly, rising from $1478.40 to $2605.36.
The restaurant occupies 15.53sq m of paving and 26.75sq m of parking area that can only be used after 5.30pm.
The new charges are not new news, however. Perth City Council adopted a staggered payment system to its Alfresco Dining Policy introduced in late 2000.
In 2000, Northbridge restaurants were charged $38/sq m, but from July this year will pay the full fee increase of $75/sq m.
The cost to restaurants in Perth city has risen from $50/sq m in 2000 to $100/sq m from July.
Restaurant and Catering Association president Harry Ferrante says the 12-month alfresco fee is excessive.
“I have a survey that the National Restaurant and Catering Association conducted into alfresco dining which shows an average price at $45 per square metre,” Mr Ferrante says.
“Our rate is $150 per square metre, it’s the most expensive in the country.”
Mr Ferrante says the rate the council has begun to charge has increased to be on par with the cost of leasing a building.
“The outdoor charge by the Perth City Council is more or less equivalent per square metre to what it is to rent the space inside,” he says. “ On top of that you have to pay to clean the outside area.
“The Perth City Council then makes more money by charging rental for the car bays and getting money from the City of Perth car parks.”
Mr Ferrante says alfresco dining is instrumental in reducing crime rates.
He says if the council put money back into the precinct, he would be less agitated.
“What does the council contribute? Where does the revenue go? If they used those funds to reduce crime and promote the area then I’d most probably have no exception to it,” Mr Ferrante says.
A spokesperson for Perth City Council was unable for comment.