Streets and Roadside Trading Policy

We are currently reviewing our Streets and Roadside Trading Policy which outlines how council managed land can be used for trade or advertising.

During consultation with current and previous permit applicants, we heard about your experiences and gained understanding of current issues or opportunities.

This has informed the development of two draft policies to best support community, business and traders.

These draft policies are now open to the broader community for your consideration and your feedback will inform the final Policies that will be considered by Council.

We will continue to work with existing traders and affected sporting clubs around any proposed changes.

Follow this page to stay updated on the progress by clicking at the top of this page.

Follow this page to stay updated on the progress by clicking at the top of the page.

After viewing the draft policies and fixed trading site locations, please share your feedback below

Roadside and Public Place Trading Policy

Roadside and Public Place Trading Policy

This policy outlines how businesses operate from the side of a Council road, laybys, parks and trails or Council owned carpark. This includes food trucks and miscellaneous stalls/trade (e.g. Christmas tree sales, roadside flowers) and covers requirements for items such as signage, furniture, and shelter. As part of this policy we have introduced fifteen fixed trading sites at twelve locations around the municipality.

Roadside and Public Place Trading Policy - (PDF)

Roadside and Public Place Trading Policy - (Word)

Proposed Fixed Trading Sites - (PDF)

Proposed Fixed Trading Sites - (Word)

These sites can also be viewed on the map below.

Footpath Trading Policy

Footpath Trading Policy

This policy outlines how we use footpaths in Yarra Ranges for trading and dining. It includes any items on the footpath in front of a business, including kerbside dining and shopping.

Footpath Trading Policy - (PDF)

Footpath Trading Policy - (Word)

Trading site Location/s and Details
Lillydale Lake, Lilydale 3 trading sites
Bellbird Park, Lilydale 1 trading site
150 Cambridge Rd, Kilsyth 2 trading sites
Paynes rd, Chirnside Park 1 trading site
Keith Hume Fraser Reserve, Montrose 1 trading site
Corner of Tramway and York Roads, Mt Evelyn 1 trading site
Corner of Old Warburton and Warburton Highways, Seville 1 trading site
Cnr Warburton Hwy and Victoria Rd, Wandin North 1 trading site
Kalorama Memorial Reserve, Kalorama 1 trading site
Wesburn Park (Warburton Park Trail Head), Warburton 1 trading site
MacIntyre Lane, Yering 1 trading site
Coldstream Station Reserve (Coldstream Pump track), Coldstream 1 trading site

Trading site Location/s and Details

Lillydale Lake, Lilydale

3 trading sites

Bellbird Park, Lilydale

1 trading site

150 Cambridge Rd, Kilsyth

2 trading sites

Paynes rd, Chirnside Park

1 trading site

Keith Hume Fraser Reserve, Montrose

1 trading site

Corner of Tramway and York Roads, Mt Evelyn

1 trading site

Corner of Old Warburton and Warburton Highways, Seville

1 trading site

Cnr Warburton Hwy and Victoria Rd, Wandin North

1 trading site

Kalorama Memorial Reserve, Kalorama

1 trading site

Wesburn Park (Warburton Park Trail Head), Warburton

1 trading site

MacIntyre Lane, Yering

1 trading site

Coldstream Station Reserve (Coldstream Pump track), Coldstream

1 trading site

Project timeline

Timeline item 1 - complete

Initial engagement with current and previous businesses and traders

On line survey and in person focus groups
Timeline item 2 - complete

Development of the Policies
Timeline item 3 - active

Draft Policies open for Community Consultation
Timeline item 4 - incomplete

Feedback received considered and incorporated into the Policy
Timeline item 5 - incomplete

Policy considered by Council

Frequently asked questions

Why are you reviewing the policy and what is being considered?
There have been a lot of changes to how businesses and community groups trade and use footpaths, streets, and roadsides for business since this policy was last reviewed.
An updated policy will help businesses, community groups, and Council to use and manage footpath and roadside trading in a way that is responsive, inclusive, and aligned with current needs and expectations.
This review will look at both footpath trading permits, and roadside trading permits and will consider
- The conditions of these permits. These are outlined in the current Streets and Roadside Trading Policy 2010,
- Where businesses and community groups can trade in the Yarra Ranges. This includes on footpaths, on roads and other public land where Yarra Ranges Council is the authority. To check if the road or public place is Council owned, use our road authority look up tool.
This review does not include
- Trading that is occurring on privately owned roads or property.
- Any changes to the Neighbourhood Amenity Local Law. Any feedback we receive about the local law will be noted for the next local law review.
- Any changes to the environment or physical sites for trading including things such as public toilets, power, or vegetation management.
- The quality of trade offerings.
- Any changes for registration or notification through Foodtrader (previously Streatrader). Foodtrader is a Victorian Government initiative. For further information go to https://foodtrader.vic.gov.au/
The aim is to make it easier for businesses and community groups to apply for permits and to help everyone know what to expect from trading on public land managed by Yarra Ranges Council.
This will support stable and ongoing trading for businesses and community groups in the Yarra Ranges by providing;
- Clear and updated guidelines for traders in Yarra Ranges.
- Streamlined permit application and approval process.
- Balance the needs of both traders and the community.
- Reflection and learnings from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our businesses and traders.
Why do traders need Footpath or Roadside trading permit?
Footpath and Roadside trading permits are issued to ensure the safety of the community. The conditions of the permits outline the Local Law and the Yarra Ranges Policy. This includes ensuring that access laws are met, the whole community can use the spaces, advertising, merchandise, and furniture are placed safely, and that there is adequate insurance.
All business or community groups need a permit to trade or advertise on Yarra Ranges Council managed footpaths or the roadsides. Apply for a footpath trading permit here. Apply for a roadside trading permit here.
What feedback did you receive from past or previous traders?

Consultation happened through an online survey, in person focus groups, visits to townships across Yarra Ranges, outreach to traders groups, and Council committees.

What we heard

What we heard	How we actioned
Large clearances around public infrastructure makes it difficult to trade on the footpaths in some areas.	We reduced many of the clearances to 1m. All items must still be moved when requested by Council or other Authority.
People want to use decorative lighting for footpath dining.	This has been added to the policy and permit conditions.
Applications for permits are complicated.	We have reviewed the permit applications and plan to reduce the number of tasks for applicants where possible. For Fixed Site roadside trading, there will be an expression of interest process determined by an assessment panel to ensure fairness.
There needs to be more consistency for where items can be placed to support people with low vision, using mobility aids, or other accessibility requirements.	The draft policy and footpath pedestrian zone widths has been updated in line with the Disability Discrimination Act and the Australian Standards.
There is no way to guarantee a roadside trader will be able to trade at their chosen place each day.	The new policy introduced ‘fixed site’ permits. This will give a roadside trader exclusive usage rights to a set site for the duration of their permit an support traders to take leave without risking ongoing business.
New Traders are not sure where they are able to trade.	15 fixed sites across 12 locations are proposed for permits. This is in addition to the existing permit for roadside trading anywhere in Yarra Ranges. A shortlist of applicants will be kept to activate any new sites in a timely manner.
It is not clear if roadside traders can place other items out.	This has been explained in more detail within the policy.
Traders requested longer permits to support future planning.	Fixed site permits will enable Council to offer longer permits.
The policy is not clear.	We have divided the policy into two to make it clearer.
The requirements for a-frames is very strict.	We have relaxed some requirements for signage to allow for changeable signage (i.e. chalkboard for daily specials). However some of these requirements are in the Local Law and we cannot change these yet.
It is hard for traders and the public to know if a trader has a permit.	The policy now states that the permit must be displayed. It is up to the permit holder how they choose to display this.
Traders should be able to set up within 1km of another business, this makes trading very restrictive.	This distance is stated in the Local Law to protect established 'bricks and mortar' traders and cannot be changed with this policy. Fixed sites may be established within 1km of a business and enable some additional trading opportunities.

We also heard other feedback which whilst outside of the scope of this project, will be passed on to relevant teams to be considered.

What locations are proposed for fixed Roadside Trading Sites?

Trading site Location/s and Details

Lillydale Lake, Lilydale

3 trading sites

Bellbird Park, Lilydale

1 trading site

150 Cambridge Rd, Kilsyth

2 trading sites

Paynes rd, Chirnside Park

1 trading site

Keith Hume Fraser Reserve, Montrose

1 trading site

Corner of Tramway and York Roads, Mt Evelyn

1 trading site

Corner of Old Warburton and Warburton Highways, Seville

1 trading site

Cnr Warburton Hwy and Victoria Rd, Wandin North

1 trading site

Kalorama Memorial Reserve, Kalorama

1 trading site

Wesburn Park (Warburton Park Trail Head), Warburton

1 trading site

MacIntyre Lane, Yering

1 trading site

Coldstream Station Reserve (Coldstream Pump track), Coldstream

1 trading site

What is the selection criteria for fixed site permits?
Businesses will be required to submit an expression of interest for a fixed site permit.

There will be an internal assessment panel that will assess criteria including locality of the business, and variety of business traders.
More detailed information can be read in the draft Roadside and Public Place Trading Policy.
When will any changes come into effect?
After the policies have been considered by Council, any changes will be made in line with renewals on January 1 2026. All current permit holders will receive information about any changes applicable.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or want to learn more about this project, our contact details are below:

Contact Information
Name	Safer Communities Program Lead
Phone	1300 368 333
Email	mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au
Website	www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Home
In writing	PO Box 105, Lilydale Vic 3140

Translation information

If you need an interpreter, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 to speak to an interpreter. Ask them to phone Yarra Ranges Council on 1300 787 624

National Relay Service (NRS)

TTY: 133 677 (ask for 1300 787 624)

Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech relay): 1300 555 727 (ask for 1300 787 624)

Translator Interpretation Service

131 450 (ask for 1300 787 624)

Further information and links

All business or community groups need a permit to trade or advertise on Yarra Ranges Council managed footpaths or the roadsides.

Yarra Ranges Council respectfully acknowledges the traditional owners, the Wurundjeri people, as the custodians of this land. We pay respect to all Aboriginal community Elders, past and present, who have resided in the area and have been an integral part of the history of the region.

Shaping Yarra Ranges

Streets and Roadside Trading Policy

Roadside and Public Place Trading Policy

Footpath Trading Policy

Proposed Fixed Sites for Roadside Trading in Yarra Ranges Municipality

Trading site Location/s and Details

Trading site Location/s and Details

Streets and Roadside Trading Policy

Roadside and Public Place Trading Policy

Footpath Trading Policy

Proposed Fixed Sites for Roadside Trading in Yarra Ranges Municipality

Trading site Location/s and Details

Trading site Location/s and Details

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