THE controversial Victoria Street parklet has been approved for the next seven years following a successful six month trial.
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Greater Taree City Council voted in favour of extending the approval at the January meeting, with the applicant, Sicilian Cafe owner Gabriel Omid Darzi, required to meet a number of conditions.
The conditions include the applicant bearing all costs associated with the structure including ongoing maintenance, public liability insurance to the value of $20 million, and erecting signage indicating that the parklet is available for public use.
In considering the impacts of the parklet council acknowledged some community apprehension to the loss of a single car space.
However the positive impact of the parklet was deemed to be much more significant, with the council report stating that the parklet offered an "opportunity to experience something innovative, new and different in the Taree CBD."
"The parklet is considered a progressive and inventive economic attractor for Taree that creates opportunity for additional vibrancy within a public space," the council report stated.
Several councillors voiced their concern over the length of the extension, with others defending the positive economic and social impacts the structure brought to Taree's main street.
Crs Kathryn Bell, David West, David Keegan, Alan Tickle and Paul Hogan all voted in favour of the extension, while Crs Trent Jennison, Peter Epov, Robyn Jenkins and Brad Christensen voted against it.