Outdoor Dining Parklet

During Covid-19 restrictions, Council created a Fresh Air Dining Program that allowed cafes and restaurants to extended outdoor dining beyond their alfresco areas. Some of the sites were so popular that businesses updated their planning permits to allow ongoing operation. In some cases, such as the Beach Hotel, changes were needed to the Local Law to allow a Parklet to continue.

A Parklet was installed at the Beach Hotel in January 2024 until 7 April for the purposes of testing the Parklet concept with the community. The Parklet enabled patrons to dine outside the Beach Hotel in an adjacent area which used 3 car parks in the Jan Juc Village car park.

The community was surveyed to gauge public support and evaluate the success of the pilot. Council received feedback from 185 community members with 97% of feedback positive. This feedback encouraged Council to roll out the Parklet initiative shire wide.

At the July 23 Council Meeting, Council supported the Parklet initiative and adopted the parklet Guidelines and Community Amenity (Amendment) Local Law 2024. Now, hospitality businesses shire-wide can now apply for a Parklet.

The following questions will help you determine whether you are eligible to apply for a Parklet Permit:

• Are you a hospitality business?
• Do you currently hold a current ‘Footpath Trading Permit’?
  If you don't have a footpath permit number, you will need to apply for a footpath trading permit first.
• Is the proposed Parklet -
  • in speed limit zone of 40km/hr or less?
  • not within a clearway, disability parking space or red parking zone (No Stopping, Loading Zone, Mail Zone, Bus Zone, etc.)?
  • in a straight road geometry ensuring uninterrupted sight lines for drivers?
  • is more than 10 metres from an intersection?
  • is more than 20 metres from a signalised intersection?
  • Is in parallel parking or angled parking?
  • does not have any utility access panels or storm drains within the parking space?
  • does not compromise access for people with a disability, emergency vehicles, construction zones or entrances to private buildings or car parks?
• Do you have written support from a majority of the neighbouring businesses (and where relevant, residents)?
• Can you demonstrate ability to maintain and upkeep the parklet?

If you answered yes to all of the above, you can submit an enquiry now.

Submit an EOI

If you meet all of the permit requirements above, you can consider how many parking bays you with to apply for.

Parklets must not exceed 12 meters in length and must occupy whole parking bays.

• For streets with parallel parking, this will mean a maximum of two parking bays.
• For streets with angled parking, there is a minimum two parking bays per parklet. Maximum length is also 10 meters including a 500mm offset required where there is adjacent parking.

Council may use its discretion to stipulate the maximum number of permitted bays and any related conditions.

Parklets can operate year-round or during a 6 month ‘peak’ period from 1 November to 30 April. For a 6 month Parklet, the costs are pro-rata.

The cost of a Parklet is calculated at Councils Footpath Trading rate. Each year in the Council budget fees and charges are adopted for trading on Council footpaths including Alfresco dining. The cost is per square metre annually. The average car park is 5.6m x 2.4m - calculating each car park at approximately 40.32sqm x the annual square metre price. (in 2024 was $161) This will be adjust pro-rata for the time using the car park. 

There are extra costs for the Parklet structure and maintenance that are at cost to the business owner. Please see the supplier tab for suppliers you can enquire directly to. You can engage a supplier or if you design your own Parklet, you will need a builder and engineer.

Hospitality venues may select a company or a contractor of their choice to construct parklet infrastructure (in accordance Parklet Design Guidelines). 

Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Parklet suppliers list(PDF, 134KB)

If you have an amendment to your current application or need to submit additional information, please email business@surfcoast.vic.gov.au

Serving alcohol.

Do you already have a liquor licence, or will you be applying for one? 

As you prepare your application you need to gather the following information:

• local council planning permission
• confirmation of trading hours
• red-line plan patron capacity declaration

If you need to apply or amend a liquor licence you may need to apply for or amend a planning permit. Please email business@surfcoast.vic.gov.au for assistance.

Applying for a liquor licence in Victoria

If you wish to provide comment on a Parklet in your area, please email info@surfcoast.vic.gov.au  for a response from the relative department. Thank you

The Parklet assessment process involves assessment and advice that spans across several Council teams. From the time of Council receiving an application to permit review/approval, it may take 20-30 business days (or up to 60 business days for complex applications). Please submit an EOI above or email the Business Team to discuss as early as possible - business@surfcoast.vic.gov.au