Going out for dinner may look a little different after coronavirus restrictions ease in the North East, with mayors backing the idea of transforming footpaths into makeshift outdoor dining areas.
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Indications from Premier Daniel Andrews are that regional pubs, restaurants and cafes will be able to reopen in the coming weeks under step three of the government's roadmap, but with mostly outdoor seating.
Because not all businesses have that space, councils are willing to get creative.
Wangaratta mayor Dean Rees said most councillors were behind the idea to amend council rules and create public seating areas, as it would benefit businesses and allow people to get out and safely socialise.
"That's the biggest thing that we're struggling with here, the connectivity with people," he said.
"Our CBD is dead at the moment.
"We need to revitalise it and make it more vibrant.
"If we've got to use up a couple of car parking spaces, get onto some footpaths for the short period until we're back to normality, the council will certainly look at it."
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Indigo mayor Jenny O'Connor said the council was considering if it could close main roads on weekends and divert traffic, like they have done in the past for parades and festival, to allow space for tables and chairs.
"Anything that would help our businesses get back even partly operating, so they're operating to part of their capacity, that it really important," she said.
"Our hope is that we get back to as close to normal as we can, as soon as we can.
"If this is a step in that direction then of course we will do everything we can to support it."
She said the council would also lobby the government for funding to help businesses buy tables and chairs they would need to make outdoor dining possible.
In a statement, a Wodonga Council spokeswoman said outdoor dining was already available throughout the city.
"High Street and the footpath widths are specifically designed to allow space for that purpose," she said.
"Many of the city's eateries already have outdoor dining provisions.
"The council will work with all our businesses, on a case by case basis, to help with any specific requests for additional outdoor seating."
Mr Andrews said this week that any changes in regional Victoria would be subject to industry consultation, but believed the safest way for people to return to pubs, restaurants and cafes was for them to sit outside.
"There's a lot of space outside that can be safe, it can be seated, it can be open for business and allow people to get back on their feet much quicker," he said.
"If New York can do it, if London can do it, why can't we? I wouldn't be surprised if it's a lasting feature."
The mayors wanted the Premier to announce regional Victoria's move to step three of the roadmap as soon as possible.
"We haven't had a COVID case," Cr Rees said.
"Respectfully Daniel Andrews, please consider our outlining communities - King Valley, Moyhu, Tarrawingee, Boorhaman, North Wang - that have been closed.
"These pubs and hotels out there are the lifeblood of these communities and they're dying."
Cr O'Connor said she wanted to see travel between regional areas allowed again, so visitors could support restaurants and accommodation centres.
"Apart from the economic benefits, it would be a real moment of hope and a positive move forward," she said.
"We need that, we all need to feel some sense that things are on the improve.
"There's an emotionally impact as well as a financial one."