Provide City of Boroondara with strategic aims to help guide the activation of public footpaths and roadways for commercial purposes and broader community benefit.
Belonging/connection ┃ Recent history ┃ Helpful meanings ┃ What the plan will do ┃ Complete survey ┃ Contact us
Supporting outdoor trading into the future
Have your say on our Draft Outdoor Trading Policy, specifically the strategic and operational aims held within it, to ensure that Council’s support of commercial outdoor activities continues to enhance and create more opportunity for lively, accessible, safe and people-friendly urban spaces.
Outdoor spaces create a sense of belonging and connection
Boroondara is home to many wonderful outdoor spaces where people can gather, connect, share a meal or drink, or simply unwind. We want to continue supporting the use of these spaces well into the future.
Our Draft Outdoor Trading Policy sets out 4 key aims that benefit both our community and local traders:
- creating vibrant street life
- supporting a strong and engaging experience based economy
- fostering community connection
- promoting sustainability.
These are the principles that guide the policy, which we’re seeking your feedback on to make sure we’re continuing to head in the right direction.
Recent history of outdoor trading
Outdoor spaces have always been a great way to connect and spend time together. During the pandemic, more formal outdoor areas such as parklets became especially important because they allowed businesses to welcome diners while maintaining strict spacing guidelines.
Boroondara was one of the first municipalities to introduce parklets during this time. For more than 4 years now we’ve provided financial support to help businesses trial these spaces and understand their value.
In July and August 2025, Council checked in with the community to gather feedback on outdoor trading, including parklet use. Residents told us they strongly supported outdoor dining areas across Boroondara.
With your feedback in hand, we’re looking ahead and shaping a sustainable, long term model for outdoor trading that continues to deliver benefits for our community and our traders.
Helpful meanings (with photos)
Outdoor dining structures are fixed structures on a footpath that can remain in place overnight to support outgoing dining operations of the business.
Footpath trading includes any activities on the footpath that involve dining furniture, displays of goods, signage and any other objects that need to be removed at the end of each trading day.
A parklet is a small, semi-permanent structure that converts a car parking space/s into a seating area that expands the footpath to accommodate a public meeting space or outdoor dining.
What the new plan will do
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Maintain the balance between trading and providing a safe passage for pedestrians and vehicles through shared spaces.
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Help Boroondara create lively, connected and accessible streets with outdoor spaces that are welcoming and built to last.
- Council is continuing its support for outdoor trading and community connection by expanding and enhancing its streetscapes, town squares, footpaths and other outdoor spaces.
- Council to continue providing vibrant and well-maintained shopping precincts that are safe, accessible and lively with a range of greenery, seating, public art and spaces to connect and meet.
- Council will adopt a new Outdoor Trading Policy in 2026, to support the 3 forms of outdoor trading in: footpath trading, outdoor dining structures and parklets.
- To help businesses make the shift to the standard “business‑pays” model used across most Victorian councils, City of Boroondara will offer a 50% reduction in parklet permit fees for the next two years. This support will help traders continue to enjoy the benefits of outdoor trading while we transition away from the current shared‑cost approach.
