Melbourne’s Lord Mayor is defending the decision to reintroduce fees for footpath and alfresco dining.

Sally Capp told 3AW Breakfast it was time to return to “normal” and said many businesses were making money again as crowds return to the city.

“We are just so grateful for people coming back, but it does show that big events are really driving foot traffic into the city and we want to continue investing in that,” she said.

Press PLAY below to hear why fees are coming back

The Lord Mayor said there were policies in place to help businesses still struggling.

“In the Docklands, for example, we’re not bringing any fees back until mid-next year,” she said.