There are many picturesque spaces available to be accessed by the community, which could provide the location for your next community event or special occasion.
*Due to the limited vehicle entry points to the Valley Lake/Ketla Malpi, Brownes Lake/Kroweratwari, Leg of Mutton/Yatton Loo and Marist Park on extreme or catastrophic fire ban days these areas will be closed and no event can be held at these locations. On severe fire ban days smoking is not permitted and vehicles are not to park on grassed areas.
**Cave Garden/Thugi and Vansittart Park are dry zone areas and alcohol is not permitted.
Please Note: The release of items and/or materials that can pollute the environment and harm wildlife are banned at Council events and on Council managed reserves. These may include items such as helium-filled balloons, sky lanterns etc.
A Special Events Permit is required to ensure public safety at events is appropriately managed. Special Events Permit allow Council to monitor activity at community spaces. Approval does not grant exclusive use of the area, and Council or the applicant cannot restrict the public in any way. Major events, on occasion, will have restrictions in place such as road closures or licensed areas allowing limited access.
Activities which require a Special Events Permit Application include but are not limited to:
City of Mount Gambier charges a bond and site fee. Fees payable will be in accordance with Council's Schedule of Fees and Charges (as applicable).
A By-Law Permit is required to undertake certain activities on council land including public land and community reserves.
If your activity is for the purpose of providing entertainment for profit or any commercial activity and/or has more than 100 people or any structures and does not fit the below criteria, you will require a Special Event Permit.
Activities which require a By-Law Permit include but are not limited to:
The below sets out the rules for all private activities:
The permit will authorise the permit holder to use an approved portion of Local Government Land for an approved use, in accordance with all conditions of the permit, on a non-exclusive basis.
Applications for and approval of permits will be determined by Council taking a range of factors into consideration. There is no obligation on Council to approve a permit
A By-Law Permit will be valid for a period of time/s and day/s as stipulated on the permit.
By-Law Permit Application online form
By-Law Permit Application printable form
For further information relating to By-Law Permits click here.
The event planning toolkit has been designed to assist event organisers in planning and delivering successful, safe events. We encourage you to explore this toolkit to increase your knowledge and competency to run events.
The community events team is available to support and guide members of the community to conduct events in the City of Mount Gambier area.
Busking on Council land
An application for a Busking Permit can be obtained from Council and must be submitted with valid photo identification. There is no fee payable.
A Busking Permit issued by Council only allows you to busk on Council land. If you wish to busk at local supermarkets, shopping centres or other privately owned properties, permission must be sought from store / centre management.
No permit will be granted to a child under the age of 12. A busking permit may be issued to a parent or guardian on behalf of a child that is aged under 16, but we need written consent from parent or guardian. Any permit granted to a parent or guardian on behalf of a child, is only valid during the daylight hours in which the child is not required to attend school in accordance with the Education Act 1972. The parent or guardian, to whom a permit has been issued on behalf of a child, must accompany the child at all times whilst the child performs.
Once a permit is issued, where am I allowed to busk?
A Busking Permit issued by Council only allows you to busk on Council land. If you wish to busk at Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, Marketplace, Mount Gambier Central or other privately owned properties, permission must be sought from store/centre management.
How old do I have to be to apply for a Busking Permit?
No permit will be granted to a child under the age of 12 years. If you are between the ages of 12 and 15, written consent from a parent or guardian must be submitted to Council with your application and also kept with you while performing.
