Use this form to apply to hold an event in a park, open space, footpath or street within the City of Sydney local area.

How to complete this form

1. Read our event guidelines.
2. Ensure all fields have been filled in correctly.
3. All fields marked with * are required and must be filled. If the information does not apply to your event, type N/A in that section.
4. Application fees are applicable in line with our revenue policy, these fees are payable when you submit the form and are non-refundable.
5. You will need a current public liability insurance certificate and a site plan to proceed with the application.

Please include a site plan of the proposed event venue showing the event area and event infrastructure.

This should show the relative size and proposed position of all event infrastructure, such as, but not limited to:

• stalls and marquees 
• stages
• toilets 
• rubbish and recycling bins 
• signs / banners 
• lighting towers
• PA, speakers
• entry and exit points
• emergency evacuation areas

Contact our Outdoor Venue Management team for base site plans of our parks and open spaces.

If your application is for a street based event, please list the road/s you need to close for the event. A minimum of 12 weeks lead-time for applications must be factored in to your event planning process for road closures.

Are you planning on having food at your event? You must apply for food stalls separately.

You must factor in a minimum of 28 days before your event date to apply for a temporary food licence if your food providers do not already have one – a separate approval is required for food at events

The sale or sampling of alcohol will require a liquor licence. Please refer to NSW office of liquor. An alcohol management plan will be required.

OneMusic Australia licence may be required for the playing of sounds recordings.

A separate section 68 approval is required for mechanical amusement rides. Additional fees apply.

Safework NSW must approve the use of pyrotechnics, such as fireworks.

Pyrotechnics, including fireworks, can only be operated by a licenced pyrotechnician for events.

• Safework NSW must be notified for all such applications at least seven (7) working days prior to use
• The City of Sydney must be notified for all such applications at least seven (7) working days prior to use
• Local area command of NSW Police must be notified at least two (2) working days prior to use
• Local NSW fire and Rescue must be notified at least two (2) working days prior to use
  
  

Note, the City of Sydney Council (or other authorities as above) can condition or reject the approval of any pending licence from Safework NSW for pyrotechnic use.

We encourage you to minimise the environmental impact of your event and enhance their environmental, social and economic benefits.

This could include plans for waste reduction and recycling such as eliminating single-use plastics, energy efficiency, reducing transportation distances, parking restrictions, water conservation, cycling facilities and promoting public transport.

Balloons aren’t permitted. Event infrastructure can’t be attached to trees. See our event guidelines for more information.

Some of our parks, open spaces and streets contain buildings, venues or iconic structures that are listed on the State Heritage Register. 

Some events may need a development application and a heritage assessment for attaching structures to existing buildings, fencing and streetscapes and/or constructing infrastructure around a heritage listed space or building. Please factor this into the approval process time frames for your event.

The outdoor venue management team will be in contact to discuss this application and will inform of any additional documents required along with timeframes and permits required for assessment before you can hold your event.

Additional documents may include a development application (DA) or Local Pedestrian Cycling and Traffic Calming Committee approval.

A detailed event plan is required for most events and may include:

• Communication Strategy
• Venue/Site Plans
• Traffic Management
• Pedestrian Management
• Security and emergency Management
• First Aid and Public Health
• Alcohol Management including (liquor licensing)
• Venue Management Plan/Park Management
• Health services/Toilets/Amenities
• Noise Management
• Temporary Food Vending Approvals
• Handbills/Fundraising
• Temporary Structures
• Water Management
• Risk Management Plan
• Power/Lighting, including efficiency measures
• Waste Management, including waste minimisation and recycling
   

Final approval will only be issued by the city if the event application is determined as permissible and all necessary details and documents provided and accepted by the city

Submission of this application does not guarantee approval for the event

• I declare that all the information in the application is to the best of my knowledge, true and correct.
• I also understand that if the information is incomplete, the application may be delayed or rejected or more information may be requested.
• I acknowledge that if the information provided is misleading, any approval granted may be void. I accept delays in processing will arise out of any inadequacies in the material submitted in support of the application.
• I understand that once I have submitted this application an application fee will be payable for which I will be invoiced for.
• I have read and understand the event guidelines and the applicable fees and charges
  Once an application has been received and processed, cancellations will only be accepted in writing.

No refunds will be given for cancellations received less than 10 days prior to the event date.

Cancellations received in writing 10 days or more prior to the event date will receive a 75% refund minus the applicable application fee.

All applicable fees must be paid and received prior to the final approval being issued.

The City of Sydney takes no responsibility for any third party commitments entered into by the applicant if an application is declined. Please see fees and charges for outdoor venue hire.

Purpose of collection:This information is being collected for the purpose of assessing, approval and management of event related activities in parks, open spaces, footpaths and streets in the City of Sydney’s area.

Intended recipients: City of Sydney employees. Any approved contractors required to provide this service. State government authorities required to collate applicable application and approval details.

Supply: The supply of this information is voluntary . If you are unwilling to provide this information, the City of Sydney may be unable to provide access to its services.

Access/Correction: Please contact the City of Sydney on 02 9265 9333 or at council@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au to access or correct your personal information.

Storage:The City of Sydney, located at 456 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000, is collecting this information and will store it securely.

Other uses:The City of Sydney will use your personal information for the purpose for which it was collected and may use it as is necessary for other functions.

For further details about how the City of Sydney manages personal information, please refer to our privacy management plan.