Enabling outdoor dining
We have simplified our processes, fast tracked permit applications and waived Council permit fees to help local businesses access more space for outdoor dining.
Businesses can apply to extend their outdoor dining space on footpaths and their private land (like courtyards) on an ongoing basis and we will waive fees until 31 March 2021.
Outdoor spaces
If you run a restaurant, café, bar or other hospitality business within the City of Boroondara, you may be able to apply for outdoor trading opportunities in permitted outdoor spaces. These include:
- footpaths
- private land
- some public spaces
Footpaths
If you already trade on the footpath, you can apply for an extension to your footpath trading area. This may be the best option for you if you are:
- Looking for a quick and easy way to extend capacity for outdoor trading
- Already holding a current permit for footpath trading
- Clear of loading zones, disabled parking, bus or tram stops
If you don't already trade on the footpath, you can apply for a fast-tracked permit.
You can apply online for a footpath trading permit or for an extension to your current footpath trading area. You must have support from your neighbouring businesses.
Private land
You may have space on your property that can accommodate outdoor dining, such as a courtyard or on-site car park.
In many cases, businesses can use use and/or construct temporary buildings in these spaces without the need to apply for, or amend an existing planning permit.
In some cases the law requires a planning permit, for example if the property is within the Heritage Overlay.
To help you determine if you require a planning permit, connect with our Planning team by calling 9278 4888 or emailing [email protected] to discuss requirements and identify next steps.
Public space
Some businesses have been successful in applying to trade in public spaces. These include civic squares, public parks, public laneways and car parking bays. These outdoor dining spaces are expected to be in place until 31 March 2021.
We assess each space against criteria including:
- safety audit and road traffic management plan
- pedestrian access
- disability access
- impact on other community members who use the space
Any applications to use public space for outdoor dining received after 11 October 2020 will be considered on a case by case basis.
If you have any questions about the outdoor dining project, please email our Outdoor Trade team at [email protected]
Local, state and federal supports
In addition to enabling outdoor dining, the City of Boroondara, the Victorian Government and Australian Government are providing a range of supports and resources to assist businesses.
Council financial support
As part of a $4.5million relief and recovery package, we are providing financial support to businesses by:
- waiving food premises registration fees
- waiving and rebating footpath trading fees
- waiving trader parking permits fees
During 2020, businesses applied for Council funding through a number of grant programs, including:
- Small Business Booster Grants
- Small Business Resilience Grants
Visit our Grants for business page for more information.
Council online resources
We have a number of online resources available to support your business.
- Participate in our online tutorials to give you a beginner's guide for using Instagram and LinkedIn for your business. See Online business resources.
- To receive regular information and resources to support your business, subscribe to our Business Boroondara e-newsletter, BizBits.
- Learn about what permits may be required to get your business up and running. Contact Council's Business Support service.
- Register for an upcoming workshop or networking session.
- Register for free, online business mentoring for new and established business owners to address challenges and explore opportunities.
- A series of posters Council has developed for local businesses to display.
Victorian Government financial support
Support is available from the Victorian Government to help businesses impacted by COVID-19.
- Business Victoria is offering grants to local businesses as part of its Business Resilience Package.
- Access resources to help small businesses experiencing difficulty paying rent from the Victorian Small Business Commission.
- Learn about the commercial tenancy relief scheme to support commercial tenants and landlords who are struggling with economic disruption due to the coronavirus. The scheme includes a 6-month moratorium on evictions for eligible commercial tenants and mediation services through the Victorian Small Business Commission.
- Learn about the Circuit Breaker Action Business Support Package. It is designed to provide financial support to eligible businesses impacted by the circuit breaker action which aims to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Australian Government financial support
Support is also available from the Australian Government to help businesses impacted by COVID-19.
- Australian banks have announced a Small Business Relief Package, which will defer loan payments for small businesses affected by COVID-19 for 6 months.
- The Australian Government has announced a number of measures to support businesses to manage cash flow challenges and retain employees.
- The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is offering relief measures to help businesses having difficulty meeting tax and super obligations. You can also call their emergency support hotline on 1800 806 218.
Other resources
For additional resources, support services, information and advice, see:
- Business Victoria
- The Victorian Chamber of Commerce
- The Australia Retailers Association
- Safe Work Australia’s COVID-19 information for workplaces
- The Fair Work Helpline for information on your obligations as an employer
Promoting your business
If you are open and doing things a little differently so that you can continue to deliver your products and services to the Boroondara community, we can showcase your business in a couple of ways.
Love Local Life business directory
Sign up to profile your business via the new Lovel Local Life business directory.
This new online directory has been created to gather Boroondara businesses together and assist residents with searching for their favourite products and services while supporting local.
Business can also showcases their COVIDsafe service options available, including:
- click and collect
- contactless delivery
- outdoor dining and more.
Featured businesses are also promoted across the Love Local Life Facebook and Instagram pages
Share your story with fellow business owners
If you have some advice for other local business owners based on how you have adapted under the circumstances, we would love to share your story.
Email us with the following so we can profile you:
- the name of your business
- information about your products and services and how you’re doing things differently to ensure the health of customers is prioritised
- a photo of your adapted business in action (this could depict the steps you’ve taken to promote health and safety, for example, your new takeaway coffee set-up/station.
More information
The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is the primary source of information about COVID-19.
For more information or assistance, contact our Local Economies team at [email protected] or on 9278 4444.