• What is a parklet?

• A parklet is a car parking space, or in some limited instances a part of a public road, that has been transformed into a place that the whole community can enjoy.

  Two types of parklets are supported by the City of Port Phillip. The first is a community parklet built and managed by Council that is publicly accessible for anyone to visit and enjoy. The second is a business parklet which is managed by and in association with a business to expand their services, who has obtained a permit from Council. A common example is an outdoor dining area associated with a nearby café. This draft Policy and guidelines applies to the second type of parklet.

• Why do we need a Policy?

• The Policy will provide a framework to guide the application process, permitting and management of business parklets in Port Phillip.

  During the summer of 2020/21 Council trialled business parklets to support traders through the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. Initial engagement with these traders and consultation with the community (see the Business Parklet Engagement Report for further details), indicated broad community support for implementing a long-term policy to support business parklets.

  Anticipated benefits of business parklets include:

  • Encouraging people to spend more time enjoying our streets.
  • Activating our streets and transform them into places for people rather than cars
  • Adding greenery which improves the look and feel of our streets
  • Creating opportunities for people to spend time outside and meet new people, which can reduce the risk of social isolation and mental health problems
  • Allowing more people to observe and participate in the life of the street, which can improve the overall feeling of safety in the neighbourhood.
• What is the difference between the policy and guidelines?

• The Policy provides a framework to guide the application process, permitting and management of business parklets.

  The guidelines details Council’s requirements for applicants and includes how applications would be assessed.

  Applicants would be encouraged to read and familiarise themselves with the Guidelines prior to making an application. It is important that applicants understand the responsibilities involved in managing a business parklet including the design, legal obligations, fees, and other relevant matters.
• How will the Policy address concerns around the impact on residential amenity?

• The Policy aims to balance the activation of public space with amenity of the surrounding community.

  Residential amenity is a key aspect of the decision-making criteria when assessing applications for business parklets, including the location, proposed hours of operation, and any liquor licencing.

  If a business parklet is approved, permit conditions would apply and address the potential impacts on residential amenity, including the emission of excessive noise.

• How will the policy aim to balance car parking availability with parklets?

• To minimise potential impacts to on-street car parking and ensure an appropriate balance of outcomes within local areas, parklet caps have been calculated for each activity centre.

  The calculations were based on a number of factors including the total number of publicly available on-street car parking spaces, the number of spaces allocated to other uses (such as loading, etc), public transport connections, feedback and experiences through the trial period and community consultation, other locational factors and physical attributes such as footpath widths. These numbers are a recommendation only and may be varied at officer discretion as part of the overall consideration of each proposed parklet. This will also include consideration of the concentration of parklets in any one part of a particular activity centre. Requests outside of these activity centres will be considered on a case by case basis.

• How can I object to object to a parklet?

• The Policy and Guidelines provides the necessary framework to guide Council’s decision making, including the maximum number of business parklets, safety, accessibility and impact on residential amenity.

  The community can submit feedback or concerns to Council at anytime, including perceived permit breaches, which would be investigated, and any necessary action taken.

• How will community be notified if there is a parklet being proposed in their neighbourhood?

• Just like footpath trading permits which occupy public space on the footpath, there is no specific notification requirements for proposed parklets. However, a parklet that proposes to occupy the frontage of an adjoining premises would require the consent of the owner, body corporate and/or occupier of the neighbouring premises.

• How will a parklet’s compliance be monitored?

• Council officers will undertake proactive inspections of parklets. Any concerns would be raised with the permit-holder.

  The community can also contact Council to raise concerns for investigation online at My Port Phillip via ASSIST 9209 6777.

• If a business has a history of being non-compliant, would this be considered when assessing their application?

• Yes, businesses history of compliance will be taken into consideration when reviewing parklet applications or renewing annual parklet permits.

• How will a parklet’s utilisation be monitored?

• Council officers will undertake proactive inspections throughout the year and monitor the use of business parklets.

  If a parklet is perceived to being under-utilised in an area, Council would engage with the operators prior to a permit renewal. Seasonal peaks and troughs in use would be anticipated throughout the year.
• When will businesses be charged for parklets?

• To support the recovery of small businesses from the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 restrictions, no fees will be charged for parklets for the 2021/22 financial year.

  The next valuation of retail rents is due in March 2022 and this, together with feedback from parklet permit holders, will enable Council to consider when parklet fees may be sensibly introduced in the future.

• Once fees are introduced, how would Council use the revenue generated from permits fees?

• To support the recovery of small businesses from the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 restrictions, no fees will be charged for parklets for the 2021/22 financial year.

  When charges are introduced the income derived for the use of public land will contribute to funding a range of Council services including the administration of these permits, street cleaning and the maintenance of our public spaces.

• How were the parklet caps for each neighbourhood developed?

• The calculations were based on a number of factors including the total number of publicly available on-street car parking spaces, the number of spaces allocated to other uses (such as loading, etc), public transport connections, feedback and experiences through the trial period and community consultation, other locational factors and physical attributes such as footpath widths. These numbers are a recommendation only and may be varied at officer discretion as part of the overall consideration of each proposed parklet. This will also include consideration of the concentration of parklets in any one part of a particular activity centre. Requests outside of these activity centres will be considered on a case by case basis.

Consultation

• When will the Policy be implemented?

• Feedback from this consultation will be used to finalise the draft policy and guidelines that will be presented to Council for consideration in October 2021. This will allow the application process to begin from November 2021, and Council to start permitting those who have demonstrated suitability.

• Does this mean we will lose more parking spaces in Port Phillip? 

• To minimise potential impacts to on-street car parking, and ensure an appropriate balance of outcomes within local areas, a recommended maximum number of parklets within each area has been calculated.

  The calculations were based on a number of factors including the total number of publicly available on-street car parking spaces, the number of spaces allocated to other uses (such as loading, etc), public transport connections, feedback and experiences through the trial period and community consultation, other locational factors and physical attributes such as footpath widths. These numbers are a recommendation only and may be varied at officer discretion as part of the overall consideration of each proposed parklet. This will also include consideration of the concentration of parklets in any one part of particular activity centres. Requests outside of these activity centres will be considered on a case by case basis.

  For more information view page 22 of the draft guidelines.

• Who will be able to have a business parklet?

• All hospitality businesses based in the City of Port Phillip are eligible to apply to participate in the Business Parklet Program. The exceptions are stand-alone bottle shops, tobacco shops and venues with an electronic gaming machine or other gambling component.

  Community, not-for-profit organisations or businesses outside of hospitality can apply to Council separately on an as-needs basis; these applications will be assessed on their merits for decision.

• Why are you proposing both seasonal and annual permits?

• Council wishes to recognise diversity in business models and offer flexibility to our traders.

• What if I have a complaint about a business parklet?

• If you have a complaint about a specific business parklet please contact us by phone (03) 9209 6777 or through our Online Services.

• How was the proposed fee structure developed?

• A ten-tier fee structure has been developed based on the average retail rent within each identified area, recognising the difference in the value of public space. These rates would be adjusted annually in accordance with the latest retail rental data.

  An annual business parklet would be charged at 50% cent of the average retail rent of each tier. A seasonal business parklet would be charged at 70%, aimed at high season activations (1 October to 30 April).

  In addition, new incentives are also being proposed to support businesses:

  • In an area where retail rents have decreased, and ground floor retail vacancies are 20 per cent or higher, a ‘revitalisation’ rate would be applied, charging equivalent to the lowest priced tier.
  • Business parklet fees discounted by 50 per cent for the first year, for any business where a business parklet has not previously occurred.
  • Business parklet fees discounted by 100 per cent for the first year in ‘Revitalisation’ rated areas, for any business where a business parklet has not previously occurred, or for an existing business which has not provided a business parklet for two years.
    
    
  • Discounted fees provided to business parklet in locations affected by major building works including streetscape upgrades, with discounts applied on a case-by-case basis.