Commercial use of Council land and roads

1. Footpath dining

If you operate a food business and would like to use the Council footpath as an outdoor dining area for your patrons, a footpath dining permit must be sought with Council.

Council's Subordinate Local Law 1.2 Commercial Use of Local Government Controlled Areas and Roads 2011 regulates outdoor dining and applies strict conditions that preserve the amenity, safety and accessibility of the city.

Footpath dining fees are determinate on;

  • The location of the business within the region, and
  • The number of chairs that the business is apply to have on the footpath

What zone does my business fall in?

The following maps can be used to identify the zone that your premises falls within.

Zone/Map Fee (2024/2025)
Zone A - Bundaberg Core Central $57.00/chair
Zone B - Bundaberg Frame $45.00/chair
Zone B - Bargara Central Business District $45.00/chair
Zone B - Childers Central Business District $45.00/chair
Zone B - Gin Gin Central Business District $45.00/chair
Outside of Zones A & B $29.00/chair

Apply for a footpath dining approval

If the area outside your premises is a public footpath, you need a footpath dining permit to use the area for customers to eat and drink.

Examples are a sidewalk café and restaurant with tables and chairs on the footpath for use by customers.

A copy of the businesses Public Liability Insurance to the value of $20 million must be supplied with the application.

Note: A footpath dining approval is not required for premises which solely place tables and chairs on private property – with the land owner’s permission.

Footpath Dining Application

Amend or transfer an approval

If you want to amend or transfer an existing footpath dining permit you need to apply to Council's Environmental Health Services for approval.

A copy of the businesses Public Liability Insurance to the value of $20 million must be supplied with the application.

Footpath Dining Transfer/Amendment Application

Footpath dining factsheet(PDF, 723KB)

2. Display of goods

The display of goods (for sale or hire) on roads or other local government controlled areas requires an approval under Subordinate Local Law 1.2 Commercial Use of Local Government Controlled Areas and Roads 2011.

Footpath trading provides businesses with a great opportunity to display goods in the aid of enticing patrons into the business. Businesses can acquire a permit to place items such as clothes racks, tables and similar items on Council footpaths.

Traders must have all business related display items confined to the building or kerb side of the footpath and comply with the requirements as stated in the permit issued. Such requirements include;

  • Keeping a clear pathway for all pedestrians, and
  • Ensuring that the items are not display in front of a neighbouring premises, and
  • Using structures (as means of display) that are of safe construction; in a good condition and repair; and securely fixed to the footpath.

Fees are determinate on;

  • The location of the business, and
  • The size of space that the businesses is apply to use.

What zone does my business fall in?

The following maps can be used to identify the zone that your premises falls within.

Zone Fee (2024/2025)
Zone A - Bundaberg Core Central $57.00/sq. m
Zone B - Bundaberg Frame $45.00/sq. m
Zone B - Bargara Central Business District $45.00/sq. m
Zone B - Childers Central Business District $45.00/sq. m
Zone B - Gin Gin Central Business District $45.00/sq. m
Outside of Zones A & B $29.00/sq. m

Apply for a display of goods approval

If the area outside your premises is a public footpath, you need a display of goods permit to use the area.

A copy of the businesses Public Liability Insurance to the value of $20 million must be supplied with the application.

Application - Display of Goods Approval

Note: A display of goods approval is not required for premises which place displayed items on private property – with the land owner’s permission.

Amend or transfer an approval

If you want to amend or transfer an existing display of goods permit you need to apply to Council for approval.

Application - Transfer/Amend a Display of Goods Approval

3. Mobile and stationary roadside vending

There are two types of roadside vending -

  1. Mobile roadside vending: where an operator trades goods or services (including food or drink) from a vehicle, travelling from place to place and is waived down by the customer.
    • Example: a mobile ice-cream van attracting customers by amplifying music while driving.
  2. Stationary roadside vending: where an operator trades goods or services (including food or drink) from a vehicle or stall at one specified site. This activity does not include footpath dining.
    • Example: a roadside stall selling fruit and vegetables.

Note: No roadside vending is permitted on Council’s parks or reserves unless Council calls for tenders. Please contact Council’s Parks, Sport & Natural Areas section for more information on 1300 883 699.

What are the general requirements?

To trade as a roadside vendor an approval must be obtained from Council to ensure the activity is carried out in accordance with the Subordinate Local Law 1.2 – Commercial use of Local Government Controlled Areas and Roads 2011 and Queensland Government’s guideline – Roadside Vending on State Controlled Roads.

The application process can take up to 30 days from date of submission to the final approval, should there be no further information required.

For the determination of a permit approval, the Bundaberg Regional Council has been classified into three specific areas. These areas are described as “Zones”.

Zone Description
Zone A - Bundaberg Core Central Business District Business District (bounded by northern Bourbong, eastern Maryborough, southern Woongarra and western Walla Streets
Zone B - Bundaberg Frame Bounded by western McLean Street, the Burnett River and Salt Water Creek but excluding areas in Zone A
Zone B - Bargara Central Business District Bounded by the western side of the Esplanade, southern side Burkitt, western See and northern Whalley Streets
Zone B - Childers Business District Bounded by northern and southern Churchill, eastern North and McIlwraith and western Lord and Stewart Streets
Zone B - Gin Gin Business District Bounded by northern Walker, southern King and eastern and western Mulgrave Streets
Zone C - Outside of Zones A & B Any other area not identified in Part A and Part B.

Note: Roadside vendors are not permitted to trade:

  • Within the Zone A of the Bundaberg core central business district area;
  • Within 500m of a competitive business located in the Zone B central district area; and
  • Within 300m of a competitive business located in the Zone C district area.

Apply for a roadside vending permit

To apply for a Roadside Vending approval, you will need to submit a complete application to Council.

A copy of the businesses Public Liability Insurance to the value of $20 million must be supplied with the application.

If you are operating a food business then you may be required to hold a food license with Council. Please visit Council’s Food Safety and licensing page for further information.

Application - Roadside Vending Permit

Note: A roadside vending approval is not required for businesses who wish to operate on private property – with the land owner’s permission.

Amend or transfer a permit

If you want to amend or transfer an existing roadside vending permit you need to apply to Council for approval.

Application - Amend/transfer a Permit

Factsheet - Roadside Vending

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