Food & Hospitality Approvals
Where hospitality approvals get stuck
You've found the space. The numbers work. Then you find out the dropped weights need an acoustic report, the 24/7 trading you were counting on isn't a given, and the parking falls short of what council wants. Some operators don't find out the zone won't even allow a gym until after they've signed.
Every week you're not open is membership revenue you're not earning, on top of rent. We tell you exactly what it takes to open, and what it will cost, before you commit.
We Check What Others Miss
A venue approval has a lot of moving parts. We know every one of them and check them all up front, so your pathway is clear and your fitout runs without surprises.
Grease trap and trade waste
We know exactly what your kitchen needs and design it in from day one, so it never holds up your fitout.
Kitchen exhaust and ventilation
We get the mechanical exhaust specified right the first time, so there’s nothing to redo later.
Trading hours
We know what hours each council will grant and build your case to protect the ones your business depends on.
Acoustic
We handle the noise side early, so late trading, music and plant are signed off rather than fought over.
Accessibility
We know what a change of use triggers and factor any access upgrades into the plan from the start.
Fire safety
We identify any fire upgrades up front and roll them into the approval, costed and done.
Capacity and amenities
We work out your real patron capacity early, so you design the venue around a number that actually holds.
Liquor licence
We line your licence up with your planning approval from the start, so the two never trip each other up.
[ How it works ]
Find Out Exactly Where You Stand
[ faqs ]
Got Any Questions?
We’ve heard it all. Here’s everything you need to know before working with us.
Do I need approval to open a cafe or restaurant?
Almost always, yes. A food premises is a different use to a standard shop, so it usually needs development consent even if the space was retail before. We confirm exactly what your site needs at the strategy call.
Can I turn a shop into a restaurant or takeaway?
Usually yes, but it's a change of use, so it needs council approval. The pathway depends on the zone, the building and the current use. We tell you whether it's straightforward or whether there are conditions to plan around before you sign.
Do I need a DA for a fitout?
It depends on the work. A cosmetic refresh can sometimes be exempt, but most hospitality fitouts touch exhaust, plumbing, grease traps or layout, which usually means consent is needed. We work out the right pathway so you don't lodge more than you have to.
How long does a hospitality approval take?
We lodge within 48 hours of having what we need. After that, determination time sits with council and varies, from a few weeks for a clean application to longer if there are objections or referrals. Getting it right up front is what keeps it fast.
Can I extend my trading hours?
Yes, but your hours are set by your approval, so changing them needs an application. How far you can push depends on the location, especially how close you are to homes. We build the case to protect the hours your business actually needs.
Can I add outdoor or footpath dining?
Usually yes, with the right approval. Outdoor and footpath dining is handled separately from your main consent and sometimes has a faster pathway. We sort both together so the whole venue is covered.
Can I open before I get approval?
No. Trading without the right consent risks fines, enforcement and closure, which costs far more than getting it right first. That's why we move fast on lodgment and give you a realistic timeline so you can plan your opening.
How much does it cost?
We work on fixed fees, so you know the number before we start. We give it to you at the strategy call once we understand your site and what's involved.
[ why choose us ]
Faster Pathways
Fewer Rejections
One Expert Team
Guranteed Approval
Active Project Approvals
in 2026
2019
2021
2023
2024
2025