Want to get involved? We want to hear from you! While we work on enhancing the program to launch the Expression of Interest, please register your interest using the form below.
Kiosks add vibrancy and diversity to the city and enable new and innovative businesses access to trade. Throughout the city there are 15 kiosks available.
Kiosks are small, purpose-built structures where vendors can sell wares such as flowers, food and beverage and other products.
Cylinders are smaller cylindrical shaped structures and are better suited for the sale of non-perishable goods and services.
An expression of interest (EOI) is run to fill locations, with a license issued for the space. Other shorter-term opportunities may be available in our Footpath Street Trading program, depending on what is proposed. We no longer have any Cylinder locations available for short term opportunities.
If a location becomes available prior to the next expression of interest (EOI) period, we will contact customers on our reserve list, or those who have registered interest with us.
Program criteria
If you are interested in submitting an EOI, you must meet the eligibility criteria:
- You hold or are prepared to obtain Public Liability Insurance coverage of $20 Million.
- You may operate a Class 3 or 4 registered food business (low risk, pre-packaged) if selling food. Class 2 food businesses have operated from some sites historically and require considerable financial investment from the trader to meet additional fit-out requirements.
- Products and services must be unique, distinctive and of high quality. Locally made, ethically produced and environmentally responsible items will be viewed more favourably. Disposable or mass-market products will not be considered. Please note, we do not permit body art (piercings, tattooing, etc) or body/facial enhancement services (Pedicures, Beauty treatments, etc) from these sites.
- You have a business plan outlining how you intend to operate at your preferred site.
In addition to the eligibility criteria, you will be required to respond to the following assessment criteria as part of the EOI:
- A brief overview and history of your business and operation, or how you intend to operate your business
- An overview of the products you intend to sell, including information on sustainability and packaging, including images.
- How you intend to trade from the space, including preferred days and times, to add to the vibrancy of the area and maintain a street presence.
- A proposed design of site layout and how you will promote your business onsite (branding).
- Your top three preferred locations to trade. We recommend viewing the location prior to making a submission and consider any potential costs to fit out your preferred site.
- A waste management plan, detailing how you will minimise waste generated, and dispose of it sustainably. If you are selling food, detail how you intend to deal with food waste and containment/disposal of wastewater generated on site.
- Information on social media presence, how you will market the business online.
- A detailed business plan will be considered favourably. Consider outlining projected sales, business operating methods, other place activation initiatives to add to the amenity of the area.
You will need to provide all the required information and documents so we can assess your submission. EOIs will be scored against other submissions, based on the quality and level of detail provided. The more information you provide will help us to review your EOI submission.
How to register
You can register for the next EOI by providing basic information about your business via a registration form, including confirming your eligibility for the program.
Registration to fill vacant location
- Registration is submitted using the link below.
- Your registration will be reviewed against the eligibility criteria to ensure you are suitable for the program. This usually takes approximately a week.
- We will keep your information on file, so we can contact you to let you know of the EOI opening so you can make a submission.
Locations
Kiosk locations
- Adjacent to 447 Collins Street
- Adjacent to 120 Swanston Street
- South-east corner of Collins and Elizabeth streets
- North-west corner of Collins and Swanston streets
- Harbour Esplanade, Docklands
- North-east corner of Elizabeth and Bourke streets
Long term cylinder locations – one year to three years
- South-west corner of Swanston and Little Collins streets
- North-east corner of Swanston and Lonsdale streets
- South-west corner of Swanston and Bourke streets
- South-east corner of Swanston and Bourke streets
Short-term cylinder locations – three months to one year
- Adjacent to 236 Swanston Street
- Adjacent to 461 Bourke Street
- Adjacent to 156 Elizabeth Street
- Adjacent to 60 Elizabeth Street
- 171 Spencer Street, west of Bourke Street
Site information and fees
- There are 6 kiosks within the city.
- Kiosk licenses range from 3 to 5 years duration.
- Kiosks vary in size, but general dimensions are 2m wide, 5m long and 3m high.
- If proposing to operate a food and beverage business at a kiosk, Class 3 or 4 businesses (low risk, pre-packaged) may be considered. Class 2 businesses have operated from some sites historically and require considerable financial investment from the trader to meet additional fit-out requirements.
- All food storage and preparation equipment must be contained with the structure.
- Not all kiosks have drainage/wastewater connections. If you are proposing to use one of these locations for the sale of food, you may be able to fit sullage tanks to support all required plumbing fixtures such as hand basins, sinks and other equipment connect to water. Proposals will require a detailed review as part of Food Act registration application, assessed on a case by case basis at the cost of the applicant.
- Operating a nearby, supporting registered food premises is considered advantageous for applicants proposing to sell unpackaged food.
- Street Trading Zone is within the awning line of the kiosk, and all food storage and preparation equipment must be contained with the structure. Having a supporting bricks and mortar premises nearby would be advantageous.
| Kiosk name | Street address | Street location | Access to power | Access to water | Other considerations |
| Collins Arch Kiosk | 447 Collins Street | Southeast corner of Collins and William streets | No | Yes | Flower kiosk only |
| Bank Kiosk | 68 Elizabeth Street | Southeast corner of Elizabeth and Collins streets | Yes | Yes | No wastewater connection, sullage tank required |
| City Square Kiosk | 220 Collins Street | Northwest corner of Swanston and Collins streets | Yes | Yes | No wastewater connection, sullage tank required |
| Town Hall Kiosk | 90 Swanston Street | Southeast corner of Swanston and Little Collins streets | Yes | Yes | Flower kiosk only |
| GPO Kiosk | 350 Bourke Street | Northeast corner of Elizabeth and Bourke streets | Yes | Yes | No wastewater connection, sullage tank required |
| Docklands Kiosk | 800 Bourke Street | Northwest corner of Bourke Street and Harbour Esplanade | Yes | Yes | N/A |
- There are 9 cylinders within the city, 5 of which are located on Swanston Street.
- Cylinder licence durations are up to 5 years duration.
Cylinders are approximately 1.5m wide and 3m high with double doors that open to the footpath.
Image- Only retail businesses or Class 4 registered food businesses (low risk, pre-packaged) may be considered.
- All food storage and preparation equipment must be contained with the structure.
- Cylinders do not have drainage/wastewater connections. If you are proposing to use a cylinder for the sale of food, you may be able to fit sullage tanks to support all required plumbing fixtures such as hand basins, sinks and other equipment connect to water. Proposals will require a detailed review as part of Food Act registration application, assessed on a case-by-case basis at the cost of the applicant.
- Operating a nearby, supporting registered food premises is considered advantageous for applicants proposing to sell unpackaged food.
| Cylinder name | Street address | Street location | Access to power | Access to water | Street trading zone |
| Century Cylinder | 125-133 Swanston Street | Southwest corner Swanston and Little Collins streets | Yes | Yes | In line with tree pit |
| QV Cylinder | 278 Swanston Street | Northeast corner Swanston and Lonsdale streets | No | No | In line with tree pit |
| Leviathan Cylinder | 167 Bourke Street | Southwest corner Swanston and Bourke streets | No | No | In line with tree pit |
| Royal Mail Cylinder | 174 Swanston Street | Southeast corner Swanston and Bourke streets | Yes | No | In line with tree pit |
| Chinatown Cylinder | 236 Swanston Street | Northeast corner Swanston and Little Bourke streets | Yes | No | In line with tree pit |
| Michael Lane Cylinder | 461 Bourke Street | Southwest corner Bourke and Queen streets | No | No | In line with tree pit |
| London Stores Cylinder | 156 Elizabeth Street | Southeast corner Bourke and Elizabeth streets | No | No | 500mm from cylinder |
| NAB Cylinder | 60 Elizabeth Street | Northeast corner Elizabeth Street and Flinders Lane | No | No | 500mm from cylinder |
| Southern Cross Cylinder | 171 Spencer Street | West of Spencer and Bourke streets | Yes | No | 500mm from cylinder |
Cylinders
Permit fees for cylinders are $347 per month. Permit fees are invoiced monthly in advance, and the first three months must be paid in full along with the application fee prior to the issuing of the licence, permit and receiving keys to the kiosk or cylinder.
Kiosks
Permit fees for kiosks vary depending on location. These are calculated by means of an independent market valuation and currently range from $1025 up to $2142.30 per month. Permit fees are invoiced monthly in advance, and the first three months must be paid in full along with the application fee prior to the issuing of the licence, permit and receiving keys to the kiosk or cylinder.
A non-refundable application fee of $216 will be charged to successful applicants. All fees and charges are subject to annual review as part of City of Melbourne's fees and charges review process.
How to submit an EOI
To help you understand what is involved in submitting an EOI, we have outlined the steps below, as well as an approximate time frames.
- Once the EOI period has opened a submission deadline date will be listed on the Kiosk/Cylinder webpage.
- Fill out the EOI form in full and submit via the link below.
- Once EOI’s have closed, submissions that have been completed in full will be assessed by an internal panel against the requirements to determine ranking of submissions and preferred locations. Submissions will be assessed based on site suitability. This usually takes four to six weeks, depending on the number of submissions.
- Successful submissions will be contacted about locations, and next steps on the process. You may be offered a different site if deemed appropriate. This usually takes an additional two to four weeks. (times may vary, especially where food or drink products are being sold).
- Unsuccessful submissions will be notified. This usually takes one week.
- City of Melbourne portal accounts will be created on behalf of operators. Licences and permits will be drafted to commence once the existing permits at the location have expired. This usually takes two to three weeks. It is anticipated new licences and permits will commence from Spring 2026.
EOI submissions are currently closed.
