Council & Business
12 August, 2025
Council update business display rules
Businesses in Maryborough’s CBD will now need to comply with a new outdoor dining and trading code of practice, to ensure the safety and accessibility of pedestrians.
In a letter handed to business owners on Nolan Street last week, Central Goldfields Shire Council (CGSC) outlined the new measures in accordance with the General Local Laws and the Disability Act 2006 under Victorian Government legislation, to ensure the safety of pedestrians with vision impairments and mobility scooters.
Business owners will now have to pay a permit to have fixtures displayed on the street, and a ‘pedestrian zone’ must be maintained immediately at shop fronts, with no fixtures to be placed against them.
Depending on the footpath width, the guidelines state kerbside fixtures, displays, signs and A-frames must be over a metre away from shop fronts.
In a statement released by CGSC, permits for outdoor dining and trading were waived during the COVID-19 pandemic as a relief measure for traders, and because there was reduced activity.
“Council recognises the value of outdoor dining and footpath trading for local businesses, and in creating vibrant and attractive spaces for people to gather and socialise while supporting the local economy,” they said.
“We also need to ensure compliance with legislation which supports safe access for people of all abilities, and to maintain local amenity.”
However, the move has been met with mixed reactions from business owners.
Rinaldi’s Fashions owner Barry Rinaldi was surprised at the sudden change to these guidelines.
“It was really just some gossip in the street with people saying ‘have you heard about this?’ and I thought it didn’t sound right,” he said.
“But a council staff member produced a very fancy book indicating that there were going to be charges from $100 up to $600.
“I appreciate the council have got a problem that they are trying to overcome, but I don’t think putting the signage closer to the gutter is going to overcome that problem.”
He was also concerned for stock and signage left in the open, a distance from the shop.
“The wind tends to get all of them and blow them around. In terms of the store’s merchandise, if they’re putting that closer to the gutters, it’s going to be subject to weather conditions,” Mr Rinaldi said.
Local florist Alan Randell-Smith was concerned about the cost that will be returning with the permits.
“They want to change the rules on where you can place your goods on the footpath, which is fine. I understand that because I had a shop in Melbourne, and for years you could never put anything against the window of the shop, blind people use that for a sight line. That didn’t phase me,” he said.
“But they wanted to charge a fee for it if you want to have anything outside. I’m not having a go at the lady that came in about it, she was lovely but what has upset people the most is that there has been no consultations with anybody.”
Depending on the permit type, two year application fees range from $100-$300.
“I think people feel a little bit annoyed that it is constantly $100 here $100 there, do they want the streets to look interesting or inviting?” Mr Randell-Smith said.
“You just get eaten away at all the time. You get a bit tired of it. That’s all. The frustration is that if you’re going to have to put your stuff up, you’re not allowed to put your A-boards out. I think it has come out of the blue, and people are just sick and tired of it. They said it might take 12 months to come in to fruition, but then what is the point?”
Earl Murphy from Murph’s Gym has expressed that placement of fixtures on curbs may create a different issue.
“The money itself isn’t the problem. I think it’s more if anything was to happen,” he said.
“From what we understand with our public liability, we are only covered a metre from our shop front, and if the signs need to be three meters away, then we wouldn’t be covered, and we are worried about being liable if something happens like of a car hits an item or other accidents happen.
“I feel like the safest place for it is tied up against my shop face. But I certainly wouldn’t want anyone at risk if something happened outside.”
CGSC has urged the recent implementation is an educational focus, as opposed to enforcing penalties, and is seeking feedback from business owners on the matter.
“We’re now engaging with traders to talk through what’s required and why, and to gather feedback from them about the needs of their businesses,” they said.
The information will be made available to other business in the coming weeks.