What you need to know
With the success of the Summer Parklet Program, Council supported more businesses with the Autumn Parklet program. In March 2021, successful businesses across the municipality had their street frontage transformed and a custom built parklet installed, free-of-charge. The program was well received and some parklets were extended to mid-year 2022.
What is a Parklet?
Parklets are car parking spaces that are temporarily transforming into places to meet, eat and relax with outdoor seating and greenery.
Food businesses have been using them as an extension to their outdoor dining options.
Want to expand your outdoor trading?
Have you enjoyed the outdoor dining spaces popping up across our city? Would your business like to get involved and expand your trading area of your store frontage? Click the link below to find out how Council can help you and your business.
All the latest Parklet news
Summer Outdoor Activations
Moonee Valley is continuing its Outdoor Activation Program into 2022. Council believes it is more important than ever to continue to provide safe spaces for the community to enjoy. Spaces that are popping up across the municipality include: Pin Oak Crescent Parklet Program, Flemington Junction Lane, Moonee Ponds Hall Keeper Lane, Moonee Ponds Skiplet Program…
Union Square pop-up park
What you need to know Business Community news Covid Recovery Events Family Local News Parklets Last Updated January 24, 2022First published January 17, 2022 The Union Square pop-up park is coming back to Ascot Vale this summer! In cooperation with the Union Road Traders Association, we have installed this temporary pop-up park in St Leonard’s Road. Union…
Christmas is Here: lights, illuminations and surprise pop-ups are coming to town!
The festive season has arrived and we’re excited to bring dazzling illuminations and pop-ups to streets and local retail shopping strips around Moonee Valley, providing much needed support to local traders. Unfortunately, our beloved Carols in Queens Park annual event will not be going ahead this year. While restrictions have eased to allow for bigger…
Summer Parklet Program – Operating Extensions for Dining spaces
Summer Parklet Program applications for extension have been reviewed. Thirteen businesses applied to extend their parklets until 30 June 2022 and a further four parklet hosts welcomed the removal of their parklet spaces.
Find a Parklet near you
Frequently asked questions
Parklets are repurposed car parking spaces designed to create new spaces for community through the provision of seating, greenery and bike parking facilities. This includes the opportunity for businesses to extend seating and offer outdoor dining options.
The Autumn Parklet Program is being offered to hospitality businesses affected by Covid-19 restrictions and social distancing requirements. The parklets are free, but limited in number.
The Autumn Parklet Program will run 1 July 2021. Council is open to shorter periods as well, as this will enable us to provide the parklet to another business. If you want the parklet for less time, please include this on your application.
If your business is selected to be a parklet host, you will be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the parklet. You will need to sign up to conduct a monthly host maintenance checklist.
The parklet will be for customers. However, just like the footpath, it is public space and everyone is welcome to come 'in' to your parklet.
Council will provide successful parklet applicants with a standard set up, including built-in bench seating and vegetation. Businesses may use their own furniture, and it is anticipated that state government grants will be available to businesses for the purchase of additional furnishings.
If this is the situation for your business, we encourage you to talk to a neighbouring business that has a more suitable site and ask for a letter/email of support for siting your parklet outside their business premises. You will still be responsible for the maintenance of the parklet.
Council can provide information on parklets to support you in discussions that you may have with your neighbours. This information will be available on Council's Autumn Parklet Program website. You may wish to consider if you can negotiate with a neighbour and suggest a shorter installation period. Depending on demand, we may be able to arrange a phone call with your neighbouring businesses if they agree to it.
The parklets are supported by the State Government's Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package.
Yes - two businesses may apply for parklets that are adjacent to each other, noting the parklet siting guidelines will need to apply to each space. This may be one shared space, or two that are side by side. The space within all parklets has to comply with social distancing requirements.
Council is willing to consider road closures, however they are outside the scope of the Autumn Parklet Program. Please contact business@mvcc.vic.gov.au or phone 9243 8866 to discuss this possibility with Council.
Council is willing to look at alternatives that assist businesses to rebound from Covid-19. If you have an idea that is outside of the scope of the Autumn Parklet Program, please contact business@mvcc.vic.gov.au or phone 9243 8866 to discuss what options may be available to you.
The parklets are designed to be easily installed and easily removed. If you are not happy with the parklet you will need to advise Council in writing and the parklet will be removed. You would not be eligible for any further parklet funding from Council.
Current parklets will remain in place until 1 July 2022. Council is investigating policy development in relation to the future of parklets.
Council strongly encourages businesses to support each other, and with many trading restrictions in place as part of Victoria's Roadmap for Reopening, the best support we can give to some businesses is allowing them more outdoor trading space. Remember this is a temporary program. Council will evaluate the impact of the program, so it will also produce valuable data to inform future decisions about initiatives like this. However, Council is looking to provide parklets for businesses that have their neighbours' support. If there is opposition to parklets, Council wishes for a balanced approach that tries to meet the needs of the surrounding area. If you don't like the idea of a parklet, but do want to support outdoor trading, consider other options - for example, agreeing to extended footpath trading for a nearby business.