Alfresco Dining, Product Display and A-Frame Signs

Under our Local Laws permits are required when commercial activities occur on public land or shared community spaces, to ensure they remain safe, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone. 

In particular, we are concerned with:

Accessibility – as a multi-year winner of the Most Accessible Regional Town Award, we take accessibility seriously and want to make sure that everyone in our community can navigate the street without facing obstacles.

Safety – we need to ensure that furniture and other additions to the public space are designed in a way that they don’t inadvertently create extra risks.  

Townsite character – twe want to maintain the unique feel and character that makes our towns special.

Compliance with other regulations – the Shire is responsible for administering State Government regulations.

1. Make sure your site plan and Public Liability Insurance certificate is ready to upload
2. Read the permit conditions 
3. Lodge your application form
4. Get active!

So long as you supply all the relevant details and agree to the terms and conditions, your approval will be straight away!

If you'd like to do something outside of the standard conditions you'll need to contact the Shire’s Economic Development Team for advice (9780 5255 or [email protected]).

Please note, if you provide alcohol service you will need separate approval from the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor, which may affect your timeframe for implementing alfresco.

To apply for a permit: Carefully read the guidelines related to the permit type below, and then click the apply button.

An alfresco dining permit allows the use of temporary alfresco furniture on the footpath to support your business during its operating hours. 

Download permit terms and conditions here 

The permit area is limited to the zone outside your business, and for ground floor businesses only.  If you would like to extend into the frontage of an adjacent property, you may apply provided that the business owner and property owner both give written consent to accompany your application.

The permit area must ensure that pedestrian paths are maintained at a clear width of 2 (two) metres. All pedestrians must be provided with a continuous accessible path of travel. 

When setting up and operating your alfresco area:

• Maintain a clear, continuous straight pedestrian pathway of at least 2 metres in width

• Ensure the layout provides a safe path or travel without obstructions or protrusions

• Ensure all building exits and entry/exit to alfresco area remain unobstructed and accessible at all times

• Position kerbside furniture at least 0.5 metres from the kerb to allow for vehicle movement and passenger access

• Furniture and signage must not create a line-of-sight hazard for vehicles or pedestrians

• Ensure signage and branding is subtle and proportionate

• Product advertising is limited to products sold within the business and limited to umbrellas coasters, and placemats.

 

The combined indoor and outdoor patron capacity must not exceed the approved maximum occupancy for your premises (unless further approval is obtained).

Alfresco seating must not exceed 25% of your indoor seating capacity without additional approval.

As a general guide, allowable density is calculated at 1 person per square metre of alfresco area.

Please note that increasing your approved capacity may trigger the need for Development Approval, particularly in relation to parking requirements. If you are unsure,please contact the Shire’s Economic Development Team for advice (9780 5255 or [email protected]).

All furniture and equipment for the alfresco dining area must be maintained in a clean and safe condition at all times.

The furniture and equipment must not be fixed to the pavement and must be removed from the Permit Area outside approved trading hours. 

Under conditions required by Racing, Gaming and Liquor, licensed alfresco dining areas must clearly be defined with physical barriers, and details submitted within the application. We encourage non-licensed alfresco areas to also consider clearly delineating their permit area to alert pedestrians with visibility impairments of potential furniture obstacles. 

Public Liability Insurance covering the alfresco area is required for a minimum of $20 million.

Permit holders are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and condition of the area.

Any damage to public infrastructure resulting from your use must be repaired at your own cost.

If you serve alcohol then the area will require a licence from the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor (see steps below).   Customers must be seated within the permit/licensed area and the licensed alfresco areas must be defined with physical barriers.

1. Ensure your Alfresco Permit from the Shire has been saved as a PDF.
2. Log into the Racing, Gaming and Liquor portal.
3. In the menu bar at the top of the page click on New Lodgement to locate the online application forms.
4. From the drop down menu select the Group as Liquor and then the Type as Ongoing Extended Trading Permit. Click on Submit to start the form.
5. Upload all required documentation.

Note: Council reserves the right to withdraw approval for your alfresco permit should you breach the terms and conditions contained in the permit. 

Your our online form to apply for your alfresco dining permit. All application forms shall be accompanied by: 

• Site Plan showing business location, footpath, tables and chairs, any other items such as pot plants, kerb and road/car parks, and setback distances (e.g. between kerb and edge of tables) clearly labelled. Example Site Plan - My Cafe

• Proof of up-to-date public indemnity insurance to the minimum value of $20 million.

These permits allow the installation of 1 (one) small portable A-frame sign to promote your business.

Download the permit T&Cs

Signs can be placed

• directly in front of the shop or business to which it relates to

• on the road verge on the same side of the road as the shop or business to which it relates.

Signs placed further afield or on the median strip will be removed.

To keep a continuous accessible walkway, signs placed within the road reserve must ensure pedestrian paths are maintained at a clear width of 2 (two) metres. 

Signs should only be displayed in suitable weather conditions where they will not pose a risk to the public.

Sign dimensions must be no greater than 0.8m high by 0.6m wide (may be a double-faced sign).

To keep our streets looking well presented your sign should be construct and maintain to a high standard. This means choosing high quality materials and designed in a way that utilises high standard of sign writing.  You should also use colours and designs sympathetic location or recognised themes.

No illumination allowed.

The Permit Holder agrees to indemnify the Shire of Augusta Margaret River of any damages arising from placement of the sign within the road reserve and be fully responsible for providing public liability insurance for the sign. 

Note: The Shire is not responsible for any damage to or theft of the sign; the Shire retains the right to remove any signs without a permit or a sign that does not comply with permit conditions.

Your our online application form to apply for your permit. You will also need to include:

• Site Plan showing location of the sign on the footpath, distance from the kerb and from the building front, distance from your business premises.
• Proof of up-to-date public indemnity insurance to the minimum value of $20 million.

These permits allow the use of some of the footpath outside your business for activation or product display.

Download terms and conditions here 

The permit area is limited to the zone outside your business, and at least 0.5m off the kerb.

Display racks and other items must be brought off the street outside of your operating hours.

To keep a continuous accessible walkway, any products or activations placed within the road reserve must ensure pedestrian paths are maintained at a clear width of 2 (two) metres.

Be careful not to create a trip hazard or block lines of sight that could cause dangerous driving conditions.

Food or drink may not be prepared, cooked or heated in the activation area unless
with the specific written approval of the Shire.

Be creative but tasteful, whether you’re displaying a basket of goods, a clothes rack, bookshelf, or seats and table with a chessboard.

Help make the street attractive – show pedestrians what you have on offer rather than use signs to tell them.

Your display must be removed from the street outside trading hours.

Make sure your display is safe. For example:

• no sharp protruding edges
• weighted down to stop it falling over, only put out in appropriate weather conditions
• contrasting colours and won’t create a trip hazard 
• won’t block lines of sight that could cause dangerous driving conditions
• no flashing lights

Outdoor speakers, sound amplification equipment or jukeboxes (hang on, what year is it?) are not permitted without the specific written approval of the Shire.

Ensure your use of the area does not compromise the ability for the general public to
access street furniture, bins or bike racks.

The Permit Holder agrees to indemnify the Shire of Augusta Margaret River of any damages arising from placement of products, displays, or goods associated with this permit within the road reserve and be fully responsible for providing public liability insurance for their use of the space. 

Note: The Shire is not responsible for any damage to or theft of products displayed on the road reserve.

Apply using our online application form.  Please note, your application will need to include:

• Site Plan showing location of your intended display on the footpath, distance from the kerb and from the building front, distance from your business premises. See example of site plan. 

•    Proof of up-to-date public indemnity insurance to the minimum value of $20 million.