Far North cooks up footpath rent plan

By TONY GEE

KAIKOHE - Far North cafe and restaurant owners will soon have to pay to use footpaths or public open space outside their premises for their patrons.

A district-wide policy to allow private use of public space for alfresco dining has been adopted by the Far North District Council, but it will come at a square metre cost to owners of premises.

Under charges proposed in a bylaw change, open space occupied by outdoor furniture will attract a council fee based on a percentage of the present market rental value of the premises.

The amount payable by owners will be either 25 or 50 per cent of market value per square metre of outdoor dining area, depending on whether a cash contribution has been made to meet parking requirements.

On this basis, outdoor public space rent could be $25 or $50 a sq m if the market value of a premises is $100 per sq m.

The charges will be tested for 12 months "to see if any anomalies show up," said the council's project coordinator, Mike Brown.

"There has to be an element of control and public safety when food and drinks are being served on footpaths."

The liquor licensing aspect was, however, outside council control and was an issue for the district's liquor licensing agency.

Mr Brown said outdoor furniture, chairs and tables must also attract some form of control to ensure they were safe, especially for children, and owners of premises would be required to carry public liability insurance of $1 million before alfresco dining was allowed.

In addition, public health and hygiene standards had to be maintained for outside dining as they were inside, but he agreed there was nothing to stop traffic and diesel fumes from enveloping diners and their salads in some cases.

The alfresco dining policy was approved after Far North Mayor Yvonne Sharp urged the inclusion of wording to require all outdoor chairs, tables and furniture to be removed at the end of each day or night's business.

Council staff will have authority to approve or decline all applications for alfresco dining, depending on whether detailed criteria are met.