Event planning resources

Some of our parks and gardens allow marquees, arbours and chuppahs. 

When you request to book a space, you'll be prompted to say what type of temporary structures you intend to bring. Search for your booked space to check what's permitted.

If the outdoor space allows marquees, arbours or chuppahs, you must:

• weigh them down with sandbags or water weights (pegs and stakes aren't permitted)
• ensure that they don't damage Council property, including facilities and watering systems
• remove them as soon as the event is finished.

You are allowed to bring in chairs and tables for your event. They must have horizontal bar legs to prevent damage to our sites.

You must carry items into the garden, because motorised vehicles aren't allowed. If you use a trolley to transport items, it must stay on the footpath and is not permitted on grass areas.

You need a Temporary Structures Permit to bring in: 

• seating stands
• tents
• stages
• guard rails
• lighting and stage rigging.

These permits cost $310 and take up to 10 weeks to process. Submit an application for prescribed temporary structures.

You also need approval from the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) if you plan to have:

• a stage or platform bigger than 150 square metres
• a tent, marquee or booth with a floor area bigger than 100 square metres
• a seating stand for more than 20 people
• a prefabricated building with a floor area bigger than 100 square metres.

You will also need $20 million in public liability insurance if you are hiring infrastructure for your event.

Your gathering is not allowed to have:

• animal farms, petting zoos or pony rides
• reptile farms or live animal enclosures
• jumping castles
• amusement rides
• portable barbecues of any kind
• fog machines
• horse-drawn carriages
• motorised vehicles or equipment
• pegs or stakes in the ground
• decorations attached to either rotundas or trees
• glitter, confetti, rice or rose petals
• naked flames (candles)
• a stage.

Booking one of our outdoor spaces gives you exclusive use of a grass area in the park (and a rotunda, if applicable).

Public facilities in our spaces cannot be booked or reserved for exclusive use. This includes:

• playground areas
• barbeques
• picnic shelters
• toilets. 

Filming and photography

You need a permit for any commercial and student filming and photography.

You do not need a filming permit if you are taking professional photos for personal use such as wedding photos.

Processing time: up to 4 weeks.

Apply for a filming on Council land permit.

Fundraising

You need a fundraising permit for any fundraising activities. This includes community organisations and not-for-profits.

Apply for a fundraising permit.

Use of a council road, car park or footpath

You need a permit to close or occupy a Council road, footpath or car park as part of your booking. This also applies to external contractors.

Visit the Occupy Council controlled land page to apply for a permit.

You will need approval for any external contractors you plan to hire for your gathering. Please include this information in your initial booking request. 

As part of the approval process, you will need to provide a copy of each business’s public liability insurance (minimum $20 million coverage).

You may also require additional permits and documentation for food and drink traders. 

We do not allow external contractors vehicle access into our open spaces. This includes food trucks. 

External contractors may use Council footpaths, roads and car parks, which will require an Occupy Council controlled land permit.