The campaign to restore balance in the commercial use of public space, particularly for Burke Square at the corner of Vincent, Albert and Howe Streets in Daylesford has led to the Royal Hotel reducing the seating on the Burke Square Lawn area. A step welcomed by many residents. But concerns about balance remain.
The community campaign has included submissions, a well developed community survey and a petition with more than 2000 signatures .
The campaign focused on the Royal Hotel’s use of Burke Square argued that the outdoor dining arrangement was not consistent with the Shire’s Outdoor Dinning and Trading Policy.
One of the key submissions argued that only 15 – 20 percent of the lawn was available for public use and that there was significant ground degradation, infrastructure damage, safety issues and compliance failures as a result of the commercial use of Burke Square.
The community survey of 870 respondents showed that there was overwhelming local support for rebalancing the use of the public space in favour of rebalancing the use of the public space in favour of community access.
The campaign has called for a formal review of the commercial use of Burke Square, the establishment of clear boundaries limiting use to paved areas, a restoration of lawn and public seating and consideration of a public memorial for those who died at the square in 2023.
Council has indicated that it will conduct a comprehensive review of its Outdoor Dining and Trading Policy.
