The Via Dolce gazebo was a comfortable space in Canberra’s severe weather. Photo: Via Dolce.
The former Via Dolce gazebo in Garema Place could be reassembled around the corner in Bunda Street after a weekend of acrimony over the forced removal of the popular outdoor dining structure.
Owner of the Italian cafe Joe Pelle lit the fire with an angry social media post on Friday about having to take down the gazebo to make way for the Garema Place upgrades, and Liberal MLA Mark Parton stirred the pot with a provocative social media video.
City and Government Services and Night-time Economy Minister Tara Cheyne then climbed into Mr Parton for being selective with his facts before preempting the decision to approve the relocation.
Turning down the heat on Monday, Mr Pelle explained that he had been disappointed on Friday that the structure could not be reinstated on the same site and that an extension would not be granted so he would be able to crane the gazebo into a new location instead of having to take it apart and put the components into storage.
He understands that the City Renewal Authority has its own timetable for the upgrade works, but does not retract his comments about climate-appropriate facilities for outdoor dining.
The CRA’s Outdoor Dining Toolkit for Garema Place only allows for umbrellas and awnings for protection, not structures like the gazebo, which was virtually a dining room with power and air conditioning.
“This guideline has been widely deemed by local hospitality operators as being inadequate, poorly considered and useless, given Canberra’s harsh climate,” he posted.
Mr Pelle told Region that he was advocating for current and future hospitality venues to have the opportunity to include a gazebo as part of their outdoor dining offering.
He said this would keep customers there for longer and attract more people to the city, helping to enhance its vibrancy.
“You’re more likely to keep people in the city if it’s a comfortable environment,” he said.
“The gazebo over the last 18 months has been a welcome addition to Canberra, for visitors and locals.
“That vibrancy and activity brings a great element of safety and comfort in the city.”
Via Dolce owner Joe Pelle said outdoor dining in Canberra needed to be weatherproof. Photo: Joe Pelle.
Mr Pelle said he understood and supported what the CRA was trying to achieve, but maintained it was impractical not to have more protection for diners.
“This is Canberra, not the Gold Coast,” he said.
The gazebo’s history is contested, with the CRA stating that Via Dolce had ample warning about the upgrades, but Mr Pelle said he assumed the structure, which the CRA collaborated on and was installed in 2023, would be incorporated into the Garema Place plans.
There are also claims that the gazebo wasn’t compliant.
But Mr Pelle said it operated without complaints for 18 months and he would not have spent $150,000 installing the gazebo if he believed it would have to be removed so soon.
If the new location is approved, the bigger gazebo would replace the original smaller one on Bunda Street.
Mr Pelle said this would be a “suitable and acceptable mutually beneficial outcome” for the business and the CRA, which confirmed that an application is currently under assessment, in line with standard outdoor dining permit processes.
A CRA spokesperson said outdoor dining on public land was encouraged, but the guidelines sought to avoid the privatisation of public space.
“Permanent enclosed structures restrict access for other users – particularly at night, during events, or by neighbouring businesses,” the spokesperson said.
“They also present safety challenges by obstructing sightlines and limiting passive surveillance, which is essential for a welcoming and secure city centre.”
The spokesperson said the toolkit supported flexible weather solutions such as umbrellas, heating, and temporary shelter options.
However, outdoor dining furniture must be removable within 48 hours with limited mechanical assistance, allowing public land to remain accessible for maintenance, upgrades and shared use, while supporting a cohesive and uncluttered public realm.
Mr Pelle said it was heartbreaking to see the gazebo come down after working so hard to have it approved and making it a successful part of the city, but he and the business were now looking forward to it enjoying a new life on Bunda Street, in line with CRA requirements.
