Extended outdoor dining in Maroondah
Consultation has concluded
Consultation update - October 2023
Council endorsed the Maroondah Extended Outdoor Dining Policy at its meeting on Monday 18 September 2023.
The Maroondah Extended Outdoor Dining Policy responds to learnings and feedback throughout this trial period, considering feedback from business owners, the community and the Maroondah Business Advisory Committee.
Following overwhelming support for extended outdoor dining, the policy provides a longer-term framework for managing current and future applications.
View the Maroondah Extended Outdoor Dining Policy on Council's website.
Consultation - July 2023
The extension of outdoor dining into public spaces, including car parking spaces, was introduced by the Victorian Government and local councils in late 2020 to support hospitality businesses to expand trading into public areas as part of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The use of public space for this purpose was facilitated through temporary amendments to the Victoria Planning Provisions, liquor licensing requirements and Council’s Local Laws permit guidelines.
Council trialled expanded outdoor dining in unused public space and in on-street parking spaces over a two-year period, free of charge, to support hospitality businesses to deal with the adverse impacts of COVID-19 and the increased pressure to provide safe space for customers to gather.
37 businesses in Maroondah used the opportunity to trial free extended outdoor dining during this period, and there are a number of cafes and restaurants that are currently still using Council land i.e. car spaces for the purpose of extended outdoor dining.
Have your say
We want to know if the ongoing use of Council-owned land for extended outdoor dining is supported by local businesses and the community.
Share your thoughts by completing the survey below or clicking here.
Consultation closes Monday 14 August.
Further information
If you have any queries, please contact Council's BizHub team on 9298 4679 or email us at bizhub@maroondah.vic.gov.au