BATTLING cafes across the Tweed are set to be given a 20 per cent reduction in rent for the use of footpaths.

Tweed Shire Councillors voted to slash the fees charged to cafe landlords for the use of “outdoor dining” space in recognition of the slump in the tourism industry, particularly in Kingscliff operators along the Marine Parade dining strip have complained of a drop in visitor numbers.

On top of a struggling tourism industry, those operators blame severe erosion of Kingscliff beach for scaring away visitors.

Councillors voted unanimously this week to put the proposed reduction in fees, which will be paid by way of a rebate, on public exhibition for a month before reconsidering the matter.

Cr Warren Polglase, who put up the motion, said he was confident it would go through, with the lower fees backdated to July 1 this year, following strong support.

Only two councillors, Greens councillor Katie Milne who works for a cafe at Fingal, and Cr Dot Holdom, who previously ran a food outlet at Kingscliff did not vote for the move, instead declaring conflicts of interest and abstaining.

Cr Polglase however warned it would be up to cafe operators to insist landlords, who pay the rates, pass on the 20% discount to them.

“It has to go on public exhibition because it is a variation of a policy but the council supported it,” said Cr Polglase.

“Council has got to show leadership and try to assist where it can.”