Via Dolce owner frustrated after government demands removal of $150,000 gazebo
The ACT government deemed the covered dining room outside Italian restaurant Via Dolce on Garema Place "not consistent with guidelines" for the government's upgrade of the inner-city thoroughfare.
Owner Joe Pelle installed the gazebo in December 2023 to encourage year-round outdoor dining in the ACT. It has a built-in floor and a reverse air conditioner.
"I want to see the city of Canberra flourish. I want to see it vibrant."
The permit for the gazebo included the requirement that the structure could be disassembled within 48 hours.
However, since then, the City Renewal Authority's 2024 Garema Place toolkit, which outlines aesthetics for the area, doesn't support such gazebos.
Instead, large umbrellas are the approved outdoor dining option for hospitality venues.
Mr Pelle was given 48 hours to remove the structure by July 27.
City Renewal Authority chief executive Craig Gillman said the gazebo was larger than the initial permit allowed.
"It exceeded, by a significant margin, the permit zone."
However, Mr Pelle said the gazebo and its size had previously been approved by the government.
With construction continuing in the area, Mr Pelle supports the government's plans to attract more visitors to the area, but is worried about limited outdoor dining options.
He believes plans should allow for businesses to build enclosed dining areas to protect customers.
"Even on a hot day, a gazebo would really enhance and make the dining experience more comfortable."
A few doors down, restaurant owner Richard Ho also supports the government's plans to revitalise the area.
He is optimistic that the new upgrades will encourage more people to visit Garema Place.
But he believes umbrellas may not attract diners during extreme weather.
"It's very good for other seasons like summer," Mr Ho said.
"In winter, it's a bit too cold."
City Renewal Authority's Mr Gillman said approvals for umbrella structures would be fast-tracked for permit approvals.
But he said gazebos would not be.
"You can't see through structures and that creates a perception that places are unsafe because you can't see what's coming in front of you," Mr Gillman said.
"City Renewal would not support the return of that style of structure into Garema Place for any business.
"We're not the regulator … but we do get consulted, and that would be our position."
Businesses have engaged in consultation with the government for the Garema Place development since 2023
Major works are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Mr Pelle has removed the gazebo, which he says cost his business $150,000 and is hoping to gain approval for his application to install it around the corner, replacing an existing gazebo on Bunda Street.
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