City of Sydney to invest $20 million in permanent outdoor dining

The City of Sydney has announced a $20 million initiative to transform approximately 150 temporary on-street dining areas into permanent, high-quality footpath extensions. The project, which is scheduled to begin in early 2027 and roll out over the next eight years, aims to enhance the city's outdoor dining culture while improving accessibility.

Key components of the plan include replacing temporary concrete barriers with permanent extensions, creating safer separations between diners and traffic, and reducing administrative red tape. The council intends to simplify the approval process and provide businesses with greater certainty through five-year approvals where possible. The program also seeks to increase flexibility for using planter boxes and greenery to enhance streetscapes.

Since the city began offering road and footpath space to businesses in 2020, more than 2,600 applications have been approved, benefiting over 1,000 businesses. Lord Mayor Clover Moore noted that the expansion follows widespread community and business support, aiming to boost neighborhood vibrancy and support local economic growth.