COMMUNITY events attracting fewer than 1000 people could be spared a full temporary entertainment-event approval under a proposed Redland City Council local law change.
Councillors will consider starting the formal amendment process, lifting the trigger for a full permit assessment from 500 attendees to 1000.
Cr Tracey Huges said the change could make a practical difference for volunteers and organisers behind local events.
“Events that we have can be really cumbersome on our community, and we are looking at how we can streamline those a bit – the red tape and paperwork,” Cr Huges said.
“The main point here is increasing the permit trigger from 500 visitors at an event to 1000 attendees.
“That would reduce the regulatory time and cost impacts for event organisers and Council.
“I think every one of us has sat here with community members out there sending emails at 10pm, 11pm, midnight while they are working to support their community events.”
Council officers say events below the proposed threshold are generally low risk and can achieve appropriate health, safety and amenity standards through self-assessment and compliance with conditions.
Smaller events held on Council-controlled land would still require a Temporary Park Access permit, allowing Council to manage public safety, protect parks and grounds from damage, and minimise impacts on nearby residents.
However, organisers of events with fewer than 1000 people would no longer need to complete the more extensive assessment process required under the current temporary entertainment events local law.
Cr Huges said the region’s calendar was filled with sporting and community activities dependent on volunteer effort.
“We’ve got so many sports and community events,” she said.
“If we can help them however we can, we should.”
The report says the change would reduce regulatory, time and cost pressures for both event organisers and Council while retaining oversight of activities in public spaces.
It says the higher threshold better reflects population growth, a trend towards larger community events and approaches used by other South East Queensland councils.
The attendance limit is the only substantive amendment proposed with the draft also containing minor formatting and consequential changes.
Councillors supported the officer recommendation at its September 16 meeting.
It will now begin the local law-making process and open a 28-day community consultation period from September 28 to October 26.
Feedback received during consultation would be included in a final report before Council makes a final decision.
