A city hospitality business owner said he would never have spent $150,000 on a gazebo had he known he would be ordered to remove it 18 months later.
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.
“We need to address outdoor dining according to Canberra’s climate,” Mr Pelle said.
“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.
The gazebo outside Via Dolce which was pulled down in July. (Supplied: Joseph Pelle)
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.
“The structure is significantly bigger than the approved permit area,” Mr Gillman said.
“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.
Via Dolce Pasticceria in Canberra City. (ABC News: Greg Nelson)
Shelter during Canberra’s seasons
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.
“A gazebo is a great shelter and attraction for diners in the ACT,” Mr Pelle said.
“Even on a hot day, a gazebo would really enhance and make the dining experience more comfortable.”
Hospitality venue owner Richard Ho support’s plans to revitalise the Canberra city centre. (ABC News: Callum Flinn)
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.
“With the start of the new development, I think more people will come to Canberra city.”
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.”
Keeping the city safe
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.
City Renewal Authority chief executive Craig Gillman says the gazebo in question was bigger than the permit allowed. (Supplied: ACT Government)
“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 removed the gazebo, which he said had cost his business $150,000, and was hoping to gain approval for his application to install it around the corner, replacing an existing gazebo on Bunda Street.
