April 6th, 2026Burke Square: Public space or beer garden?

A gathering is planned at Burke Square in Daylesford this Saturday, April 11 from 2pm.
The area has been a public space for many years but during Covid years the Daylesford Royal Hotel was given permission to use the area for outdoor dining.
Hepburn Shire Residents’ Association president Tim Anderson said a number of residents were coming together to spend some time in the space and reflect on its role in our town.
“Burke Square has long been a shared place for the community, and this gathering is an opportunity to reflect on how it continues to serve that role,” he said.
“This isn’t a protest. It’s about being present, respectful, and part of a broader conversation about how the square evolves into the future. If you care about Burke Square and its role as a public space, you’re warmly invited to come along.”
Hepburn Shire CEO Bradley Thomas said all public spaces often had conflict to work through.
“And this is one of those areas as well. It’s an area that does have an outdoor dining permit and there is some dual use of outdoor permits and green spaces. The council will review its outdoor dining and trading policy next financial year. And that’s the document that would guide officers around anything. It’s a regular process.”
Mr Thomas said in assessing applications for outdoor dining and trading, the council would be guided by accessibility, the impact on foot and vehicle traffic, public safety and amenity, visual amenity, size or footprint of dining or trading area, available open space, support of other traders or the community, the impact on other traders or the community, maintenance of permit area and elements, impact on other council services and existing infrastructure and the overall benefit to the community.
Words: Kyle Barnes | Image: Contributed