Council supports local businesses with outdoor dining, but it is also important people (including the elderly, people with disabilities, and families with prams) have clear footpath access.
The revised policy was adopted by Council at its Council Meeting on 25 May 2021: Footpath Trading and Access Policy(PDF, 1MB)
What the Policy Applies to
This policy applies to the following types of footpath uses attached to an adjacent business premises:
- Tables and chairs
- Windbreaks
- Umbrellas
- Heaters
- Display and sale of goods
- Portable advertising boards, signs and flags
Objectives and Guiding Principles of the Policy
The policy is to provide safe and unobstructed pedestrian access on footpaths throughout Monash, while allowing footpath trading where conditions are assessed as suitable and safe for these activities.
The guiding principles for footpath trading are:
- The provision of a quality commercial shopping precinct that is safe and accessible to the whole community.
- The provision of clear, safe and unobstructed access at all times for pedestrians.
- A positive contribution to the urban character, ambience and amenity of the area where footpath trading is permitted.
Footpath Zones and Requirements
The spaces available on footpaths in activity centres have been zoned for specific usage to provide a clear and unobstructed footway for pedestrian access.
The 4 zones are:
Pedestrian Zone
Adequate, unobstructed space for pedestrian traffic at all times. Generally these zones are 1.8m wide, but in certain circumstances this may be reduced to 1.5m.
Trading Zone
This zone is the only area of the footpath where commercial activity is permitted. Trading zone widths vary according to footpath widths available.
Kerbside Zone
This zone is the allocated space between commercial trading and kerbside parking to provide a suitable buffer. Generally, these zones vary in width between 0.8m and 1.2m, depending on factors including the type of kerbside parking permitted adjacent to the area.
Access Zone
This zone provides regular breaks along continuous lengths of the trading zone to allow pedestrian access between the pedestrian and kerbside zones. These zones are at least 1m wide.