Temporary commercial use of parks - Expression of Interest

Activating our parks and public spaces helps create vibrant, liveable communities – and provides opportunities for local businesses.

Council supports a range of temporary commercial activities in selected parks and open spaces, including activities such as:

• personal fitness training and coaching programs,
• mobile food and beverage vehicles,
• hire of recreation equipment (watercraft, bikes, scooters),
• small scale entertainment (busking, face painting, magicians, jumping castles, mobile animal petting), and
• tourist-based activities (canoe and kayak tours).

Temporary commercial activities include a commercial operator, charity or not-for-profit organisation providing goods or services within eligible parks and open spaces. Please note that only those parks where temporary commercial activities could be offered while maintaining the amenity and safety of park users and neighbours have been selected. Temporary commercial activities are generally of a low-scale, and are restricted to a footprint of 30 sq m. Depending on the size and shape of the park, the number of commercial vendors is capped at between one and three. Commercial vendors who complement nearby businesses by offering a different product or service are also preferred.

If you comply with the definition of temporary commercial activities as described in the FAQ’s and other requirements you may be eligible to apply.

Business operators are now invited to express interest – EOI Round 1

Businesses are now invited to express their interest in conducting temporary commercial use of public parks and open spaces using the Expression of Interest (EOI) form.

Applicants shortlisted through the EOI process will be invited to apply for a permit (submission of an EOI does not guarantee or authorise an approval to carry out a temporary commercial activity).

Successful business operators will then be invited to apply for a certificate of approval.

The EOI is designed to ensure that commercial vendors have all documentation in place before applying for a certificate of approval.

For more information about the approval process, further limitations and how to apply for an EOI please refer to Fact sheet No.1 – Eligible parks and open spaces, Fact sheet No.2 – Assessment Criteria, and the Frequently Asked Questions.

Expression of Interest closes (Round 1) on 28 October 2021.

The certificate of approval is valid up to 12 months and EOI process will occur every three years.