Council’s Outdoor Dining Policy and Schedules were adopted in August 2024. As part of Council’s regular policy review cycle, the Outdoor Dining Policy and Schedules have now been reviewed and updated.
Revisions to the existing Policy include:
update to internal Council naming conventions, grammar and formatting
removal of references to banners in the Signage and Branding section of the Policy, as the approval process is currently limited to A-frames. Banners continue to be managed separately under Council’s Community Sporting and Banners Guideline.
removal of references to Noise and Live Music, as live music and associated noise impacts are considered under the NSW Vibrancy Reforms and the SEPP (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008, which provides specific pathways and assessment criteria for entertainment uses in venues
update to Appendix A – Allocated Outdoor Dining Plan Zone 1 to demonstrate the newly established Special Dining Precincts within Cronulla Mall, as part of the Cronulla Town Centre upgrade project.
The purpose of the Policy is to provide a framework for Council to issue approvals for outdoor dining and make it easy for restaurants to expand dining activities outdoors. Outdoor dining includes a public footpath, public spaces and parks that adjoin an existing business where it’s safe and appropriate.
in writing to Public Domain Services, Sutherland Shire Council, Locked Bag 17, Sutherland 1499
Next steps:
Following community consultation, Council will review and consider all feedback received and some changes may be made. The Policy and Schedules will then be reported to Council for adoption. We will keep interested members of the community updated.
Consultation period: 5 May - 1 June 2026
Council’s Outdoor Dining Policy and Schedules were adopted in August 2024. As part of Council’s regular policy review cycle, the Outdoor Dining Policy and Schedules have now been reviewed and updated.
Revisions to the existing Policy include:
update to internal Council naming conventions, grammar and formatting
removal of references to banners in the Signage and Branding section of the Policy, as the approval process is currently limited to A-frames. Banners continue to be managed separately under Council’s Community Sporting and Banners Guideline.
removal of references to Noise and Live Music, as live music and associated noise impacts are considered under the NSW Vibrancy Reforms and the SEPP (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008, which provides specific pathways and assessment criteria for entertainment uses in venues
update to Appendix A – Allocated Outdoor Dining Plan Zone 1 to demonstrate the newly established Special Dining Precincts within Cronulla Mall, as part of the Cronulla Town Centre upgrade project.
The purpose of the Policy is to provide a framework for Council to issue approvals for outdoor dining and make it easy for restaurants to expand dining activities outdoors. Outdoor dining includes a public footpath, public spaces and parks that adjoin an existing business where it’s safe and appropriate.
in writing to Public Domain Services, Sutherland Shire Council, Locked Bag 17, Sutherland 1499
Next steps:
Following community consultation, Council will review and consider all feedback received and some changes may be made. The Policy and Schedules will then be reported to Council for adoption. We will keep interested members of the community updated.
Thank you for your feedback on the Outdoor Dining Policy and Schedules Review.
During the consultation period we received 196 visits to the webpage on Join the Conversation and 15 survey submissions.
Among online survey participants, the majority felt very happy or happy with the Policy and Schedules, followed by participants that felt neutral, with a small number that felt very unhappy/unhappy.
Themes from survey responses included:
Support for the activation of small businesses
Pedestrian safety/traffic flow
Operating hours, fees and outdoor dining space allocation considerations
Policy format suggestions.
Council Officers are reviewing all feedback and some changes may be made to the Policy and Schedules.
The draft documents will then be tabled to the Council Meeting in August 2026 for consideration and adoption.
Thank you for your feedback on the Outdoor Dining Policy and Schedules Review.
During the consultation period we received 196 visits to the webpage on Join the Conversation and 15 survey submissions.
Among online survey participants, the majority felt very happy or happy with the Policy and Schedules, followed by participants that felt neutral, with a small number that felt very unhappy/unhappy.
Themes from survey responses included:
Support for the activation of small businesses
Pedestrian safety/traffic flow
Operating hours, fees and outdoor dining space allocation considerations
Policy format suggestions.
Council Officers are reviewing all feedback and some changes may be made to the Policy and Schedules.
The draft documents will then be tabled to the Council Meeting in August 2026 for consideration and adoption.
Outdoor Dining Policy and Schedules Review - 2026 has finished this stage
This consultation is open for contributions.
Under review
Outdoor Dining Policy and Schedules Review - 2026 is currently at this stage
Contributions to this consultation are closed for evaluation and review. The project team will report back on key outcomes.
Final report
this is an upcoming stage for Outdoor Dining Policy and Schedules Review - 2026
The final outcomes of the consultation are documented here. This may include a summary of all contributions collected as well as recommendations for future action.
