Event Planning

How to Plan an Event

Events play a vital role in creating communities that are engaged, vibrant and have a strong sense of pride and community connectivity. Events deliver a range of positive impacts including economic and tourism benefits, promotion of the city's image as a destination and provide an opportunity to raise the city profile as a great place to live and invest in.   We are committed to ensuring that the City of Launceston provides the community and visitors with an opportunity to experience and participate in a diverse range of vibrant and stimulating events and cultural activities.

Your first step is to complete the online Event Notification Form (ENF). The ENF enables the Event Facilitation Team to assess whether any permits, licences and/or venue bookings are required.  Documentation must be submitted a minimum of 8 weeks before an event to ensure there is sufficient time for relevant permit requirements to be met and issued. Late fees may apply for applications received after this.

Complete the Event Notification Form

Our Event Facilitation Team can provide guidance and information to assist you in ensuring your event is as successful as it can be. Download a copy of the City of Launceston Event Planning Guide(PDF, 4MB) and if you have any questions, please reach out to our team at events.enquiries@launceston.tas.gov.au or via 03 6323 3000.

Download the City of Launceston Event Planning Guide 

Permits, Plans and other considerations

If you intend to organise an event, you may need to apply for a special license or permit and advise Council about certain aspects of it. Ask our Event Facilitation Officer for more information; otherwise see below for some common event considerations.

Risk and Emergency

You must have Risk Management and Emergency Management plans in place.

Templates are available for download below:

Event Emergency Management Plan

Event Risk Assessment

Place of Assembly

Do you expect 1000 or more people at your event for two or more hours? You'll need to apply for a Place of Assembly Specific Event application(PDF, 126KB). Please know late fees apply to applications received less than one month prior to the event.  A Smoke-Free Management Plan will also be required at an event of this type. 

Accessibility

People with a disability face a range of barriers to participation in public events.  The Tasmanian Government has introduced a number of guidelines and checklists to assist you in conducting events that are both welcoming and accessible to people with disability. 

Food

If you intend to serve food and drink at your event, you'll need to apply for a Temporary Food Licence. Find an online form or PDF version on our Food Business Forms page. Please note late fees apply to applications received less than ten working days prior to the event, penalty rates may apply if received within 4 weeks of the event. 

Alcohol

Temporary Occupancy

Does your event include temporary infrastructure such as a stage, tent, tiered seating or signage? If so, you may need a Temporary Occupancy Permit(PDF, 68KB) which must be returned to Council a minimum of two months prior to the event.

Temporary Occupancy Permit - Guidelines 

 

Road closure

If your event is expected to disrupt traffic, a Road Closure Application(PDF, 148KB) will be required. 

 

Weddings in Launceston Parks

 Parks are public spaces and although we don't make bookings, we do ask wedding parties intending to use one of these spaces to let us know the following information. We'll then make a note in the calendar and if another group contacts us about the same date and location, we can let them know another wedding is taking place.

Notify us of your park wedding  

 

Street Party

Planning a street party? See our Neighbourhood Street Party Guide for everything you need to know.

 

Hire us

The City of Launceston manages a range of great facilitiesparks and community halls you can hire, so be sure to consider these if wondering where to hold an event. If you do want to hire a Council-managed space, you'll need to apply for a Hire Agreement and possibly other permits. For a list of the Adopted Fees & Charges click here.

 

Animals

All sites or attractions where patrons have access to animals, such as a petting zoo or nursery, must have hand washing facilities that adhere to specific requirements. Please ask us for more information. Please note pregnant or sick animals are not permitted at any sites or attractions where patrons have access. 

 

Launceston Place Brand and the Tourism Plan

The Launceston Place Brand was created for the community. The brand provides a distinctive story and set of assets that anyone can use to talk about our city.
Use the Launceston Place Brand photo library and narrative to help your business.

The aim of the City of Launceston Tourism Plan is to set a clear direction on Council’s role in growing and servicing the visitor economy and map how we intend to partner with our stakeholders to deliver engaging and meaningful visitor experiences.