Thank you to the 275 community members who provided their feedback about parklets in Moonee Valley. The information will be used to inform future parklet policy.
In response to State Government-imposed indoor capacity limits applied to hospitality business during the COVID-19 pandemic, Council implemented a Parklet Program to allow businesses to extend their trading area into car parking spaces adjacent to their premises.
A parklet is a car parking bay repurposed to create space for people to gather or for businesses to extend their trading.
There are currently 20 hospitality parklets in Moonee Valley that were established during a trial responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Council is working on a long-term policy solution to parklets in Moonee Valley which would allow for businesses to formally apply for a parklet.
Council’s Summer Parklet Program, funded by State Government, was launched in September 2020. Following the success of this program, and continuing pandemic restrictions, an Autumn Parklet Program (also State Government funded) was then launched in March 2021. The programs were established as a trial, with an initial end-date of mid 2021. Due to the success of both parklet programs, and ongoing pandemic restrictions, an extension of parklets was considered. An assessment of all parklets was undertaken, including:
- Feedback received directly to Council e.g., feedback from host businesses, neighbouring businesses, and residents.
- Observation data collected by Council on parklet usage and street activity.
- Survey results from surrounding businesses and residents – regarding the proposal of a 12-month time extension – solicited by a 50-meter radius letter drop.
The Parklet Program was established as a trial and Council is now seeking feedback about the program. We want to hear the thoughts of our community to inform the possible program extension as well as policy guiding the program into the future.
