Outdoor eating pods installed in Wodonga's 'Precinct One' at Junction Square

Two re-purposed shipping containers manufactured by WotBox in Albury were designed to have picnic tables, LED lighting and disability access ramps.

Wodonga Council received $500,000 to install the two pods, waive permit fees and conduct a marketing campaign.

Mayor Kev Poulton said the pods further enhanced Junction Place.

"What you see is a result of the Victorian government investment into outdoor dining to encourage us all, through COVID, to be still supporting our local businesses," he said.

"These pods essentially appeared overnight and we've already had great feedback.

"Even residents from Albury have been commenting on what the new environment is here, to dine in the CBD of Wodonga.

"You will also see umbrellas throughout other parts of the CBA, where that has also been achieved through the funding."

The pods will be in place until the area they have been installed in - referred to as Precinct One - is redeveloped.

The land is being leased by Wodonga Council and has been updated with a 90-space car park, green spaces and other seating.

Cr Poulton said although the public could be back dining-in at local cafes, the pods would remain a fantastic offering.

"Wodonga, like many Victorian councils, have been on the waiting list to get these installations," he said.

"Obviously, once the Victorian government announced the wonderful funding, we all wanted to get people outdoors.

"So that's probably the only thing that sort of held us back - not getting them as quick as we'd like."

In the past two years, Richardson Park and the redevelopment of Church Street have been completed.

The council moved in 2019 to adopt a vacant site directly adjacent to Junction Square, which was a former car yard, from Development Victoria.

IN OTHER NEWS:

The land on High Street, opposite Mann Central, was unsightly and could have remained undeveloped for a decade.

Council negotiated a seven-year licence with Development Victoria and awarded just over $350,000 to Stuart Gordon Landscaping to redevelop the space.

Those works were completed mid-last year and the space has been named Precinct One.

There are not any plans currently to add more public amenities in the area, with public toilets beside Bean Station and at Mann Central being the nearest available.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: