Approval lodged 30 days prior to event.
Council approval is required for all events with any level of Council involvement. An (PDF, 489KB)Event Notification and Application Form(PDF, 500KB) should be completed and forwarded to events@greaterhume.nsw.gov.au with any other required documentation.
A minimum of 30 days is essential to ensure that Council’s insurers have been notified where necessary and an increased lead time may be applicable dependant on other approvals should they also be required.
Other required documentation can include;
Approval lodged 90 days prior to event.
If your event requires the closure of roads and streets, even for a short time, or has the potential to impact on the flow of traffic then a Transport Management Plan may be required. For traffic and transport management purposes, Transport NSW have identified four distinct classes of events based on the disruption to traffic and transport systems, and possible disruption to the non-event community. These classes are as follows:
- Class 1: is an event that impacts major traffic and transport systems and there is significant disruption to the non-event community. For example: an event that reduces the capacity of the main highway through a country town.
- Class 2: is an event that impacts local traffic and transport systems and there is low scale disruption to the non-event community. For example: an event that blocks off the main street of a town or shopping centre but does not impact a principal transport route or a highway.
- Class 3: is an event with minimal impact on local roads and negligible impact on the nonevent community. For example: an on-street neighbourhood Christmas party.
- Class 4: is an event that is conducted entirely under Police control (but is not a protest or demonstration). For example: a small march conducted with a Police escort only.
From a traffic and transport perspective, events impacting on traffic need to:
- Ensure the safe separation of event patrons, participants and volunteers from traffic.
- Manage the reduced capacity of the road system.
- Minimise the traffic impact on the non-event community and the emergency services.
- Minimise costs.
If the event is likely to have an impact on the road network, requires partial or full closure of roads or affect traffic within the area, it is necessary to complete a Transport Management Plan (eg marathons, fun runs, cycling events, parades, marches).
Contact Greater Hume Council’s Engineering Department to discuss the required documentation and approval process to stage your event.
Transport NSW has developed a Guide to Traffic and Transport Management for Special Events to assist Event Organisers to manage risks that may arise from traffic movements at public events.
Transport Management Plan
The method of managing traffic and transport is to create and implement a Transport Management Plan, which highlights the planning arrangements the Event Organiser has in place to ensure the minimisation of the disruption to traffic. The plan must detail the sign posting, proposed detours, resourcing of barricaded intersections etc. A Transport Management Plan should be submitted to Council and the following information included:
- Traffic Control Plan completed by an appropriately qualified person.
- Risk Assessment.
- Insurance Certificate of Currency noting Greater Hume as an interested party and, in the case of Class 1 and 2 events, also noting Transport NSW and NSW Police as interested parties.
Council requires the above documents at least 90 days in advance of the event. If the required documentation is provided after this time, Council is unable to guarantee approval in time for the event. It is critical for the organisers to allow sufficient time to make changes to their Transport Management Plan if required to do so by the Local Traffic Committee or by Council.
Note: Traffic Control Plans that graphically depict the traffic controls must be completed by a licensed traffic controller who holds a current Traffic Management Designer Skill Set card from Safework NSW. There are a number of traffic control companies in both the Albury and Wagga Wagga area that may be found in the local telephone directory.
Costs
It is important to consider costs applicable for traffic management which may include the preparation of Traffic Management and Traffic Control Plans, advertising, hire of licensed traffic controllers and control devices such as signage and barriers. In addition, Council fees may be applicable. Incidental costs may also include paramedics, ambulance, fire brigades and tow trucks on standby, variable message sign (VMS) rental, notification expenses, parking, safety devices and high visibility clothing. Before Event Organisers approach Council for approval they should obtain an indication of the costs that they may encounter.
Races
If your event involves a vehicle race (including bicycles), a separate application must be made to the NSW Police under Section 40 of the Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management) Act, 1999. For further information phone the NSW Police Highway Patrol on T: 02 6023 9299. (Any road races also require endorsement by the Local Traffic Committee and approval from Greater Hume Council and will require a minimum advance notification period of at least 90 days).
Bicycle Races
Transport NSW has developed NSW Guidelines for Bicycle Road Races to assist Event Organisers to manage risks that may arise from traffic movements at public bicycle road races.
Approval
Council must consider the advice of the Local Traffic Committee when making a decision on traffic management issues. The Local Traffic Committee is a committee which provides an endorsement and recommendation to Council when making a decision on traffic management issues. The Committee, which includes voting representatives from Council, Transport NSW and NSW Police meet on a quarterly basis hence the requirement for at least 90 days advance notice of an event. Please note the erection of road signage also requires approval from the Local Traffic Committee and should include details regarding the size, colour, what it is made of, how it will be erected and a picture of what it will look like
Notification/Newspaper Advertising
If the event requires the regulation of traffic, Section 5 of the Roads (General) Regulation 2000 which requires that 7 days’ notice be given to the public. Council or Transport NSW will place the public advertisements at the Event Organiser’s cost. Once approval has been granted, in addition to newspaper advertising, notification should be provided to emergency services such as the NSW Fire Brigade, NSW Rural Fire Service and Ambulance NSW.
Traffic Controllers and Marshals
The Event Organiser must ensure that traffic controllers and marshals are appropriately trained and hold the relevant licenses to carry out their jobs. In addition they should be provided with appropriate safety equipment, for example: high visibility vests and sun or weather protection. It is the responsibility of the Event Organiser to arrange the Traffic Management Plans and provide authorised traffic controllers. The placement of barricades and signs must be completed by persons who hold a Traffic Management Implementor Skill Set Card and those persons working in traffic control must hold a Traffic Controller Skill Set Card. Marshalling which is taking place off-road, does not require the Marshals to hold any tickets. However, if they move into the road environment they must carry an appropriate qualification. Any failure to do so puts the public liability insurance for the event at risk.
Emergency and Contingency Plans
Emergency Management Plans aid in the management of unexpected incidents. A licensed site controller should implement emergency and contingency plans in the unlikely event where a person is injured and emergency vehicles are required.
Approval lodged time will depend on type of event.
Businesses/groups/individuals (operators) that sell food at temporary events such as fairs, festival, markets and shows are considered retail food businesses as they sell food to the public, and need to meet a range of requirements.
Temporary Stall/Mobile Food Vendors attending events within Greater Hume Council LCA must notify Council 14 Days prior to attending the event.
It is the responsibility of the Event Organisers to notify Council of any food vendors that will be operating at their event.
Click here to access the Food Van Notification Form.
New Requirements from 8 December 2023
From Friday 8 December 2023, operators that process unpackaged, potentially hazardous food, and serve it ready-to-eat, are required to:
Operators that only slice, weigh, repack, reheat or hot-hold potentially hazardous food they have not made themselves are required to:
- have a qualified onsite Food Safety Supervisor, who is reasonably available to supervise food handlers, and
- ensure all food handlers are trained in food safety and hygiene, or can demonstrate adequate skills and knowledge.
See Standard 3.2.2A - Frequently asked questions for more information.
Food Safety Supervisors
Operators of temporary stalls/mobile food vending vehicles may need to appoint a Food Safety Supervisor (FSS) if the food they prepare and serve is:
- ready-to-eat
- potentially hazardous (ie needs temperature control)
- not sold and served in the supplier's original package.
The operator needs to ensure an FSS is appointed and the FSS certificate is available in the vehicle before commencement of operation.
Please see the Food Safety Supervisor section of the NSW Food Authority website for information on how to obtain a certificate.
Food Safety Controls
Operators of temporary food stalls/Mobile Food Vans also need to practice safe food handling including:
- storing potentially hazardous foods at the correct temperature
- avoiding cross contamination
- storing raw food separately from ready to eat food
- keeping food handling areas clean
- ensuring food handlers have the appropriate food safety skills and knowledge
- not handling food when ill
- practicing effective handwashing
- checking that packaged food is appropriately labelled.
Further information on what is required is available in the Guidelines for food businesses at temporary events document and includes a self checklist for businesses, based on the requirements in the Food Standards Code.
Inspections
The inspection of temporary stalls/mobile food vans trading at temporary events may be conducted by council environmental health officers (EHOs) who are authorised officers under the Food Act 2003.
They check that good food safety practices are in place such as temperature control, cleanliness, hand washing and labelling.
Inspections at all temporary food events may not be possible. Small events where low risk foods are sold may not require inspection.
Large events, particularly where high risk food is sold, or those that have had a poor compliance history will be inspected. For example – Henty Machinery Field Days.
Councils adopt a risk-based approach when inspecting food businesses at temporary events to determine which businesses to inspect. The risk factors considered are:
- number of food businesses trading at the event
- type of food being sold at the event (potentially hazardous food vs non potentially hazardous food)
- estimated number of visitors to the event
- duration of the event
- any complaints made against food businesses trading at the event
- compliance history of the event
- access to facilities and services such as potable water, sewer etc.
Skills and Knowledge
Temporary Stall/Mobile food vendors should ensure food handlers have the appropriate food safety skills and knowledge, do not handle food when ill and practice effective handwashing.
Premises Construction
Temporary food stalls need to ensure the stall is:
- located in a dust free area
- away from toilets and garbage bins
- supplied with sufficient potable water
- is suitably constructed (ie. floor, walls and ceiling)
- fitted with food handling facilities for storage, cooking, hot/cold holding, preparation and serving, including handwashing facilities.
See also: Guidelines for food businesses at temporary events
Legislation & Standards
Temporary Stall/Mobile food vans need to practice safe food handling and preparation to meet the same food safety requirement as other retail food businesses.
This includes:
Council recognise the valuable work conducted by charities, organisations and volunteers when selling or donating food for charitable purposes. Examples include:
- free sausage-sizzles for junior soccer players
- school fetes
- lamington drives to raise money for the victims of a natural disaster
- selling chocolates to raise money for the Red Cross
- making food for volunteer fire fighters during a bushfire.
New Requirements from 8 December 2023
Recent changes to the Food Standards Code have introduced new food safety requirements for charities and groups that prepare and sell food on an ongoing basis.
From 8 December 2023, those that prepare unpackaged, potentially hazardous food, and serve it ready-to-eat, must:
- have a qualified onsite Food Safety Supervisor, who is reasonably available to supervise food handlers,
- ensure all food handlers are trained in food safety and hygiene, or can demonstrate adequate skills and knowledge, and
- be able to show their food is safe.
They do not apply to not-for-profits and groups that provide food for fundraising at one-off or occasional events, or free to the community.
Notification
Charities, groups and volunteers operating an ongoing food business will still need to notify the local council of their business and food activity details.
They do not need to notify if the food:
- does not need to be kept hot or refrigerated to keep it safe
- would need to be kept under temperature control, but will be eaten immediately after thorough cooking, such as at a sausage sizzle.
Food Safety Supervisors
From 8 December, charities, groups and volunteers will be required to appoint a Food Safety Supervisor if, on an ongoing basis, the food they prepare is:
- served ready-to-eat
- potentially hazardous (needs temperature control), and
- NOT sold and served in the supplier's original package.
The Food Safety Supervisor requirement does not apply to not-for-profits and groups that provide food for fundraising at one-off or occasional events, or free to the community.
Food Handler Skills
From 8 December 2023, new food handler training requirements apply to some charities and groups that cook and sell food on an ongoing basis. Those that process unpackaged, potentially hazardous food and serve it ready-to-eat on an ongoing basis must ensure all food handlers are trained in food safety and hygiene or be able to demonstrate adequate skills and knowledge. The training must cover:
- safe handling of food
- understanding of food contamination
- cleaning and sanitising of food premises and equipment
- personal hygiene.
See Food Handler Basics training for more information and to access the NSW Food Authority’s free training course.
The requirement does not apply to not-for-profits and groups that provide food for fundraising at one-off or occasional events, or free to the community. However, they should have practical skills and knowledge appropriate to the type of food they are preparing to protect public health.
See also:
Showing Food is Safe
From 8 December 2023, charities and groups that regularly do more than just slice, weigh, repack, reheat or hot-hold potentially hazardous food, must also be able to demonstrate safe food practices.
Specific activities must be monitored and recorded, including:
- temperature control during food receipt
- storage
- display
- transport
- pathogen reduction during food processing
- minimising time during food processing
- cooling food
- reheating food
- cleaning and sanitising.
This requirement can be met by keeping records, and/or demonstrating safe food practices. This could include having a written instruction sheet or standard operating procedure, and/or being able to walk and talk an authorised officer through their food handling practices and processes.
For more information, including templates for recording keeping, see Showing food is safe.
The requirement does not apply to not-for-profits and groups that provide food for fundraising at one-off or occasional events, or free to the community.
Inspections for Charities, Groups and Volunteers
Inspections will still not be required for an organisation selling food for community or charitable purposes provided the food:
- does not need to be kept hot or refrigerated to keep it safe
- would need to be kept under temperature control, but will be eaten immediately after thorough cooking, such as at a sausage sizzle.
Charities, groups and volunteers operating an ongoing food business will still be regularly inspected by local council officers.
Inspections assess compliance against food safety standards in the Food Standards Code. Most councils use a standard inspection checklist. The inspections cover:
- physical condition of the facilities
- processes for food handling
- food safety skills and knowledge of food handlers.
You can prepare for an inspection by doing a self-test using the same checklist that councils use, the Food Premises Assessment Report (FPAR).
For more information on inspections and what to expect see inspections.
Approval lodged 90 days prior to event.
The holding of an event may require the lodgement of an Application for Development/Construction to Council. Some examples of situations where an application may be required:
- Large events being held on a property not normally used for the same purpose of the event.
- Large recurrent events likely to continue over a number of years on the same property.
- Where the event may produce a significant traffic impact.
- Locations where potentially hazardous food may be sold.
- Event where fixed facilities may need to be erected (eg toilet blocks).
- Potential for significant noise impacts (eg racetracks).
If you believe that your event may require the lodgement of a Application for Development/ Construction please contact Council for further information allowing a period of at least 90 days to ensure adequate processing and notification to nearby residents should this be required.
Approval lodged 14 days prior to event.
Where fundraising is for a charitable purpose a charitable fundraising authority may be required. Further information regarding charitable fundraising is available from the Service NSW website. All fundraising activities in public places require prior approval from Council and the following conditions apply:
- Council will only consider applications for street stalls and fundraising activities from local not-for-profit organisations, local charitable institutions or local sporting clubs or associations located within the Greater Hume Council area.
- Approval will not be given to commercial organisations or individuals whose express purpose is for profit or personal gain – 100%of funds collected must go to the community/charitable organisation. At Council’s request, applicants must provide details that clearly show who will benefit from the proceeds of the fundraising activity.
- Applications for fundraising activities shall be submitted on Council’s Casual Hire of Council Facilities form at least 14 days prior to the proposed date of the activity and must indicate the times required.
- Applications for other fundraising activities eg door knock appeals, will be considered on application and may be approved by the General Manager provided the proposed activity is consistent with Council policy.
- Collectors for charitable collections shall wear appropriate identification indicating the organisation they represent and must make documentation available for inspection at any time.
- A permit may be cancelled by Council on receipt of complaints regarding the conduct of stall holders or collectors.
- All users using a public footpath must hold a current Public Liability insurance policy for a minimum value of $20,000,000 which notes Greater Hume Council as an interested party. Each user group must ensure that it remains current for the duration of the nominated term use. A copy of your Certificate of Currency must be provided with your application. Use of footpaths is not covered under Councils Casual Hirer Insurance.
- Fundraising activities will be limited to each Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Each organisation shall be granted five (5) street stall bookings in one calendar year for either raffle sales and/or the sale of products. Further stalls may be granted if the dates requested are available and may be booked no more than 14 days in advance.
- If displaying a vehicle to be raffled or displaying a raffle prize on a vehicle or trailer, the vehicle or trailer must be registered.
- Permission should be obtained from the relevant shop owner/s prior to setting up display stands, tables etc outside their business premises.
- A street stall display shall be located to ensure that minimum of 1.8 metres width from the kerb line of the footpath is left available for pedestrian traffic.
- No amplified speech or noise is to be used for fundraising activities.
- Council prohibits alcohol being brought onto the site, distributed or consumed at the site.
Approval lodged time will depend on type of event.
Some parks, streets and reserves may be subject to restrictions on the consumption of alcohol. To obtain information on restrictions or to apply for permission to consume or provide alcohol in a restricted area, contact Greater Hume Council, Engineering Department on T: 02 6036 0100. If alcohol is being sold you will be required to display a number of signs under the liquor laws.
Underage drinking can be a concern at many events where alcohol is permitted and will not be tolerated. Further information and strategies for minimising underage drinking at your event can be obtained by contacting your local Police Station.
Approval lodged 30 days prior to the event.
Depending on the device, approval may be required from Council under the Local Government Act 1993. Inspection of applicable devices will be undertaken by Council’s Rangers and further information regarding the approval of amusement devices can be provided by Councils Department of Environment and Planning. The following details are to be submitted with the application of approval:
- Registration details of the device under NSW Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011.
- Public Liability Insurance to the value of $20 million.
- A risk assessment.
Approval lodged 30 days prior to the event.
There are special requirements for markets and street stalls held on land owned or managed by Greater Hume Council. A Casual Hire of Council Facilities Application or Market/Stall Holder Application Form should be completed. A Risk Assessment should also be completed and include all safety requirements applicable to market stall holders.
Approval lodged 14 days prior to the event.
It is illegal to operate fireworks in NSW without a permit from Safework NSW. You must apply for the permit from Service NSW, Fireworks Display Notification at least 14 days before the event. The supplier or operator of the fireworks must also hold an appropriate licence from SafeWork NSW. Fireworks are not permitted on a day of Total Fire Ban. If fireworks are planned for your event, you are also required to advise the following organisations:
- Council at least 14 days before the event.
- NSW Rural Fire Service (Local Fire Brigade) at least two days before the event via QR Code.
- Local Police at least two days before the event. You are also required to seek written approval from:
- The land or property owner where the display will be carried out.
- Any neighbours who may be affected by the fireworks display.
It is necessary to ensure that the Committee keeps a copy of your permits and approvals available at the event and also for future reference. Detailed guidelines in relation to fireworks are available at www.safework.nsw.gov.au. In addition, the display of fireworks at an event can result in the dispersal of a considerable amount of litter and consideration should be given to the removal of waste at the conclusion of the display.
Approval lodged 7 days prior to the event.
If the event includes live or pre-recorded music (either a recording or music video) and that music is protected by copyright, you will need to obtain a licence at least 84 hours prior to the event. If there is live music only, the event will require a licence from the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Recorded music (either a recording or music video) is protected by two types of copyright. The use of recorded music at the event will need the Event Organiser to obtain a license from both APRA and the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA).