Hospitality & Venue Planning

From boutique cafés to licensed venues, breweries, distilleries and wedding reception centres; the hospitality industry faces some of the most complex planning and regulatory challenges in Victoria.

At EDQ Town Planning, we make the process simpler. Whether you’re launching a new venue, modifying an existing space, or expanding your operations, we provide strategic advice, permit coordination and detailed planning documentation tailored to hospitality developments.

End-to-End Planning Support for Hospitality Venues

We work with:

• Café, bar and restaurant operators
• Brewery and distillery owners
• Function and wedding venue managers
• Franchise operators and chains
• RSLs, golf clubs and sports clubs
• Event operators and festival organisers
• Architects and hospitality consultants

Whether you’re building from scratch, converting an existing space, or changing the use of land, we’ll help you navigate every planning trigger, with a focus on amenity, compliance, and long-term viability.

Common Permit Triggers for Hospitality Projects

Most hospitality-related projects in Victoria require a planning permit. Common triggers include:

• Use of land for a food and drink premises or function centre
• Buildings and works in Commercial, Mixed Use, or Farming Zones
• Car parking waiver or reduction under Clause 52.06
• Signage approvals under Clause 52.05
• Patron capacity controls (via red line plans or layout plans)
• Liquor licensing requirements (through the LCV licence assessment process)
• Amenity impact assessments under Clause 53.06
• Noise or acoustic reports (often required by Council or EPA)
• Waste management and loading access

We coordinate all of these elements, including subconsultants if needed, and provide a complete package ready for Council assessment.

Hospitality Planning Services We Offer

Site Feasibility & Strategic Advice

We assess your site, planning controls, and operational goals, then identify risks and opportunities, helping you plan smart from the start.

Planning Permit Applications

We prepare detailed town planning reports, development plans, and supporting documentation to lodge your planning permit application.

Red Line Plans & Patron Capacity Reports

Via our Red Line Plans team, we offer drafting services and coordinate building surveyor input to support liquor licence and capacity approvals.

Parking & Access Solutions

We provide swept path diagrams, car parking layouts, and expert justification for car parking waivers and loading arrangements.

Signage and External Works

We can assist with planning permits for business signage, façade upgrades and outdoor dining proposals.

Liquor Licensing Support

We work closely with our sister business, On Tap Liquor Consulting, to deliver fully integrated support across both planning and licensing pathways.

Regional Expertise, Local Knowledge

Our team has delivered hospitality approvals across:

• Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong
• Moorabool Shire (e.g. Bacchus Marsh, Gordon, Ballan)
• Surf Coast and Bellarine
• Macedon Ranges and Daylesford regions
• Grampians Wine regions
• Melbourne’s growth corridors

We understand the unique planning challenges faced by rural and peri-urban venues — including noise sensitivity, native vegetation, parking constraints, heritage overlays and fire risk.

Don’t Let Red Tape Delay Your Opening

Opening a hospitality venue is a major investment; don’t get stuck in the planning maze. EDQ Town Planning delivers timely, strategic planning services designed to get your doors open sooner.

Whether you’re opening your first café, expanding a regional winery, or planning a new food precinct, we’re here to help.