Planning approval

Council’s planning scheme guides how land can be used and developed, including footpaths owned by Council.

Footpath dining may need planning approval for these activities:

• starting a new footpath dining activity
• re-establishing footpath dining that has been closed
• changing the intensity of existing footpath dining (e.g. increasing the number of tables and chairs)
• changing the scale of an existing business (e.g. increasing the area of footpath dining)
• building work (e.g. permanently installing awnings, tables, bollards, or umbrellas).

Before you fill in the application form:

• give our planning team a call to see if you have the correct land use or if you need a development approval. Call us on 07 3412 5269
• arrange a pre-lodgement meeting with Council
• consider engaging a town planning consultant registered with the Planning Institute of Australia if you need help
• self-assess your property details against our Planning scheme.

Food licence

If you want to sell food or drinks you may need a food licence.

To find more information, see Food business or call us on 07 3412 4039 to find out if you need a food licence.

Building approval

If you want to use electrical equipment or build something on the footpath you might need building certification, an engineering report and/or electrical certification. Don’t build anything on the footpath unless you have approval.

Building work is assessed against the building assessment provisions (including, but not limited to, the National Construction Code and the Queensland Development Code which set the minimum requirements for building structures, fire safety, access and egress, health and amenity, and energy efficiency.

To find out if you need building approval, call a private building certifier. Building certifiers are registered with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission.