Council is seeking feedback from the community, traders and diners on the draft Parklet Policy and Guidelines. The Parklet Policy and Guidelines will deliver a framework for how the permanent parklets will operate.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance that extended outdoor trading plays in assisting hospitality businesses to remain viable. Enabling opportunities to operate in a safe environment support retention of employees and generation of income.

The requirements for social distancing and mask wearing due to COVID have meant that patrons have preferred the ‘al fresco’ to indoors. With current and potential future outbreaks, it is likely that the demand for outdoor dining will remain strong for the foreseeable future.

Council’s Parklet program supports eligible businesses to offer outdoor pedestrian areas such as dining spaces in what was previously used as car parking bays. The long-term implementation of the Parklet program will offer ongoing support, enabling hospitality businesses to offer their patrons continued social distancing safe dining options.

Parklets impact public parking as they take up parking spaces which can affect the viability of other businesses.

The Parklet Policy ensures there is a consistent, transparent, simple and equitable process for the application of parklet permits and aims to ensure that parklets are safe and accessible and consider neighbouring properties and amenities.

The Parklet Policy aims to:

• support local businesses within activity centres as a whole rather than only supporting Permit Holders only
• activate streets and provide a space for the community to gather and socialise
• create an improved sense of community
• contribute to a positive neighbourhood character.

We invite your feedback on the draft Parklet Policy and Guidelines for Council’s consideration.

• number of parklets
• locations
• look and feel.

• physical structure of parklets
• cost of parklets
• safety standards and legislation.

This stakeholder assessment is a generalised understanding of sections of the community that have a connection to the project or matter. This information is used to understand the types of tools and techniques that will achieve the strongest and most effective outcomes for engagement and communication.

Impact: What level of change the stakeholder/community segment may experience as a result of the project /matter

Interest: What level of interest has been expressed or is anticipated

Influence: Reference to the IAP2 Spectrum

The tools and techniques selected for this project are informed by the project content, stakeholders and type of feedback sought. The impact of COVID-19 restricts our ability for face-to-face communication, as well as slower distribution of printed mail.

Key tools for communicating the project

• email notification to Have Your Say members
• website news story and This Week in Bayside e-newsletter
• social media posts – organic and paid
• direct emails to key stakeholder groups, including trader groups and disability groups.

Key methods for gathering feedback

• online engagement through Have Your Say, including opportunity to ask questions, as well as provide feedback
• phone, post and correspondence.

Community consultation will be open between 9 March - 6 April 2022. It is expected that Council will consider community feedback at its meeting in May 2022.

The agenda for this meeting, including the community engagement report, will be published on the Wednesday before the Council meeting via Council's website.

Project subscribers will be notified of the results of the engagement and the Council report at this time. To receive updates on this project, click on the blue 'subscribe' button at the top of this page.

All Council meetings are live-streamed via Council’s website. Interested members of the community can ask a question of this meeting or request to be heard.