On-road dining approvals

The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) works with councils to support cafes and restaurants in setting up outdoor dining areas, improving local amenity and driving economic growth.

DTP is making state road space available for on-road dining facilities in specific circumstances that have minimal impact on the road network's performance. Locations must also be safe and in keeping with the local area.

Businesses applying for on-road dining approval must do so through their council. 

Councils are responsible for working with businesses to set up on-road dining. This includes applying to DTP for permits to set up on-road dining on state roads. 
 

When is DTP approval required?

Councils must apply to DTP if their on-road dining proposal includes:

• use of traffic signs on a main road
• use of part of a main road usually used for car parking or traffic lanes
• use of major traffic control devices on local roads
• lowering speed limits below 40 km/h on local roads
• use of a main road or local road where parking and stopping aren't allowed at the times shown on the clearway sign
• anything that might affect public transport, such as  road closures, detours, service cancellations, bus or tram stop relocation or closure, delays due to closed lanes, lowered speed limits, or
• changes to traffic signals due to road closures, closed turn lanes, or detours.

Permit conditions for on-road dining

To ensure safety and minimal disruption to the road network, on-road dining will only be permitted on state roads that meet specific location criteria. 

This includes:

• the road must have an existing speed limit of 50km/h or less, with a mandatory temporary speed limit reduction to 40km/h if the road doesn't already have a permanent 40km/h speed limit
• it shouldn't interfere with active traffic lanes or include sections of road designated as clearways (ideally, it should be a parklet)
• it mustn't obstruct pedestrian access to tram or bus stops
• it should be located at least 10 meters away from un-signalled intersections and 20 meters from signalled intersections
• it shouldn't be situated on routes with heavy traffic, including general vehicles, heavy trucks, or freight
• the road must already function as a place of destination with a significant level of street activity. 

Resources

DTP has created an on-road dining policy and guidelines (PDF) which outlines the requirements and supports councils in the application process for on-road dining.

If you’re a business wanting to apply for temporary outdoor dining, please contact your council.

Councils can complete the application to conduct a non-road activity on a highway (PDF)  and submit it to the Metro Events team within DTP for on-road dining applications. 

For further information contact: [email protected]