Conditions of entry to Council events

1. Purpose and Principles

These Conditions of Entry establish the framework for safe, inclusive and orderly participation in Council-delivered and supported community events.

Council commits to:

  • Providing welcoming, accessible and inclusive environments
  • Ensuring safe, family-friendly event experiences
  • Applying conditions consistently, fairly and transparently
  • Supporting lawful participation and expression, while managing conduct that impacts safety, access or event delivery

These Conditions are informed by Council’s Thriving Communities Policy and relevant legislation.

2. Scope and Application

  • Applies to anyone entering, attending or remaining within the event site, including all entry points, stages, activity zones, amenities and controlled spaces
  • Entry to the site constitutes acceptance of these Conditions

3. Definitions

Authorised Council Officer

A Council employee or delegated representative (including an event manager, supervisor or authorised contractor) with authority to enforce these Conditions.

Event Site

All areas designated for event delivery, including controlled perimeters and access points.

Prohibited Item

Any item reasonably assessed as unsafe, disruptive or inconsistent with event operations.

4. Entry and Attendance Requirements

Entry is conditional upon compliance with the following requirements:

4.1 General Entry Conditions

  • Subject to capacity, ticketing (if applicable), safety and operational requirements
  • Attendees must comply with:
    • Conditions of Entry
    • Signage and site instructions
    • Directions from authorised personnel

4.2 Admission Controls

Entry may be refused where:

  • Safe capacity has been reached
  • Admission would compromise crowd management or emergency access
  • A person demonstrates behaviour that:
    • Is unsafe
    • Is disruptive
    • Is inconsistent with the event purpose and creates a material impact on safety, access or event delivery

4.3 Supervision

  • Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult
  • Guardians are responsible for the behaviour and safety of minors

5. Behavioural Expectations

All attendees must behave in a manner that supports a safe, inclusive and enjoyable environment.

5.1 Unacceptable Behaviour

Safety Risks

  • Violent or threatening behaviour
  • Actions that may cause injury or harm
  • Reckless use of equipment or objects

Disruption to Event Delivery

  • Interfering with performances, presentations or activities
  • Interrupting scheduled programming
  • Excessive noise not part of the event program

Interference with Others

  • Harassment, intimidation or abuse
  • Conduct that prevents others from accessing or enjoying the event
  • Unreasonably confronting or obstructing other attendees

Obstruction

  • Blocking entrances, exits or emergency paths
  • Disrupting queues or pedestrian flow
  • Occupying spaces in a way that restricts access or visibility

Public Nuisance / Amenity Impact

  • Disorderly behaviour
  • Damage or misuse of property
  • Littering or environmental harm

6. Event Operations and Site Controls

6.1 Unauthorised Activities

Activities are not permitted where they:

  • Disrupt event operations or programming
  • Interfere with crowd movement or safety
  • Require exclusive or extended use of space without approval

6.2 Use of Space

Attendees must not:

  • Occupy space in a way that restricts others
  • Relocate furniture or barriers
  • Establish fixed gathering points that disrupt flow

6.3 Commercial and Promotional Activity

Without prior approval:

  • No selling, trading or fundraising
  • No brand promotion or organised marketing
  • No distribution of materials where it:
    • Obstructs movement
    • Interferes with event delivery

6.4 Structures and Equipment

Prohibited without approval:

  • Temporary structures
  • Displays, signage stands and marquees
  • Audio equipment, staging or power connections

6.5 Amplified Sound and Noise

  • No unauthorised amplified sound
  • Sound must not:
    • Disrupt programming
    • Impact safety communications
    • Interfere with audience experience

6.6 Restricted Areas

Access is prohibited to:

  • Back-of-house areas
  • Production areas
  • Performer spaces
  • Safety-controlled zones

7. Prohibited Items

7.1 Safety-Based Prohibitions

  • Weapons or weapon-like items
  • Hazardous or dangerous goods
  • Fireworks, flares or explosives
  • Flammable or toxic substances

7.2 Operational Risk Items

Items that may:

  • Obstruct visibility or movement
  • Cause crowding or congestion
  • Interfere with infrastructure

7.3 Disruption-Based Items

Items likely to:

  • Create excessive noise
  • Interfere with programming
  • Distract performers or audiences

7.4 Regulated Items

  • Illegal substances
  • Alcohol (where restricted)
  • Glass containers (where restricted)

7.5 Officer Authority

  • Refuse entry of any item
  • Direct removal or disposal
  • Confiscate items where required for safety

8. Safety, Security and Compliance

  • Bag checks may be conducted
  • Attendees must:
    • Follow crowd control measures
    • Comply with emergency directions
    • Maintain clear access routes

Emergency instructions override all other conditions.

9. Filming, Recording and Privacy

Council may record event activity for:

  • Safety
  • Operational review
  • Promotional use

Attendees must not:

  • Record in a way that creates safety risks
  • Interfere with operations
  • Engage in intrusive or unreasonable conduct toward others

10. Enforcement Framework

10.1 Graduated Response

Where non-compliance occurs, Council may:

  • Engage and provide clarification
  • Issue verbal direction or warning
  • Require behaviour to cease
  • Refuse entry or re-entry
  • Request removal of a person from the site
  • Escalate to law enforcement (if required)

10.2 Decision Criteria

Decisions are based on:

  • Risk to safety
  • Impact on others
  • Impact on event delivery
  • Reasonableness and proportionality

10.3 Authority

Authorised Council Officers may enforce these Conditions and give lawful directions to support safety, access, amenity and event operations.

Where a breach occurs, Council may take action as permitted by law.

11. Review and Complaints

Council decisions are:

  • Documented where appropriate
  • Subject to internal review processes

Attendees may:

  • Lodge complaints
  • Provide feedback through Council channels

12. Personal Responsibility and Risk

  • Attendees enter at their own risk and:
    • Are responsible for personal belongings
    • Must manage their own safety and that of dependants

13. Damage and Liability

Attendees may be liable for:

  • Damage to property
  • Costs associated with disruption

Council liability is limited to the extent permitted by law.

14. Event Changes and Operational Control

Council may:

  • Modify event format, timing or layout
  • Restrict access to areas
  • Cancel or delay events

Reasons may include:

  • Safety risks
  • Weather conditions
  • Operational requirements

Please note: Some venues, including Council-owned and operated venues, may have their own Conditions of Entry, venue policies or operational requirements that apply in addition to these Conditions of Entry. Where applicable, attendees must comply with both the venue-specific requirements and these Conditions of Entry.

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