More outdoor seating to be installed in Binney Street, Euroa

Binney Street is due to boast more outdoor seating for the public to enjoy after Strathbogie Shire Council received Victorian Government Outdoor Dining Funding.

The four seats were designed by local furniture maker Hugh Salmon and were crafted from locally sourced timber and steal.

Council received $250,000, with the direction from government that it could be passed on to businesses in the form of reducing or waiving permit fees or invested in infrastructure such as streetscaping and lighting.

Strathbogie Shire set registered premises fees at zero in its 2020/21 Budget, so used the funding to focus on community activation.

“By this we mean creating new outdoor dining spaces – and safe spaces for our community to gather, socialize and enjoy outdoor dining,” Strathbogie Shire Council Deputy Mayor Cr Melanie Likos said.

Cr Likos said this project was another fantastic way of enhancing Euroa’s main street.

“We believe these will complement the streetscape and enhance the township amenity for local residents, visitors and businesses to gather, sit on and enjoy,” she said.

“The project is also a fantastic way of providing work to local businesses.”

Stephanie Swift from the Euroa Chamber of Business and Commerce said the Chamber was grateful to receive an opportunity from Council to contribute to the project and be involved right the way through. 

“More permanent outdoor seating is a must in the main street, as businesses navigate their way out of each lockdown and through the recovery phase of the pandemic,” Mrs Swift said.

“With indoor seating limitations and high numbers travelling through town regularly we are looking to support businesses and provide extra outdoor seating for their customers to utilise. 

“The committee is looking forward to seeing the final product take place. We think it will enhance the streetscape and can be incorporated into future streetscape projects easily.”

Furniture maker Hugh Salmon said he was excited about the project, creating something different and exciting for the community to enjoy.

“These benches will give a bit more life to Binney Street by creating a bit of an artistic element with locally sourced materials they are made of – like the red gum and the iron bark – because they represent to me the place we’re in,” he said.

“I’m trying to create something that’s close to everyone’s heart; that being beautiful wood that’s come from around Euroa.”