A small event is a low-impact gathering on Bayside-managed public land such as parks, reserves, foreshore or other open spaces that meets all of the following:

• The event is fewer than 100 people.
• It is informal and social in nature, such as picnics, birthdays, small weddings or ceremonies, community BBQs or club presentations without markets, stages, amusement devices, fireworks or alcohol sales.
• Minimal, temporary and domestic-scale infrastructure such as picnic setups, small shade structures. No vehicle access on turf unless specifically approved.
• No road closures or material traffic impacts; standard parking only. Events must remain within ordinary park hours, and noise kept to low levels.
• The event has a short duration, generally up to half a day including set-up and pack-down.

If your gathering fits within these criteria, you will not usually need a formal booking as the space remains open and shared for the community to enjoy.

Outdoor Birthday Parties

Bayside parks and reserves are popular and family-friendly locations for birthday parties, offering:

• Playspaces
• Picnic shelters and BBQ facilities
• Toilets
• On-site parking

If your party will have more than 100 people, uses an external provider such as a food truck, amusement device, entertainer, or includes additional infrastructure such as marquees, stages, inflatables, generators, or amplified sound, you must lodge a Community Land Event Application.

Weddings on Council Land

Bayside Council welcomes couples to celebrate their wedding ceremonies in our beautiful parks, reserves and foreshore areas, including designated locations along Lady Robinsons Beach.

How to Apply

To hold your wedding ceremony on land managed by Bayside Council, you must:

1. Complete an Event Enquiry.
2. Pay the applicable administration fee.
3. Register an account and submit your booking request online.

Booking Details

• Each ceremony is allocated a two-hour time block to allow for set-up, photography and pack-up.
• You may bring up to 20 chairs, one small card table, and one small shade structure maximum 6m x 3m.
• Alcohol is permitted only for the purpose of a toast.
• Wedding receptions cannot be booked on Council land.

Please note: Consent to hold your ceremony does not provide exclusive use of the site. The area remains open to the community, however your booking gives you priority over casual users who have not obtained consent.

Terms and Conditions

When booking a wedding ceremony on Council land, the following conditions apply:

• No confetti, rice or similar materials are permitted. Please use bubbles or fresh petals instead.
• The area must be left clean and tidy. Extra cleaning costs may be invoiced or deducted from your bond.
• Furniture, ropes or signage cannot be used to reserve areas.
• Only one shade tent is permitted.
• No large infrastructure, stages or additional decorations.
• Third-party suppliers (e.g. chair hire, entertainers, caterers) must provide a Certificate of Currency and Risk Assessment.
• Council does not grant exclusive use of parks, picnic shelters, reserves or beaches for receptions or private gatherings.

Gatherings or Events That Require Approval

When your gathering exceeds 100 attendees, or if you plan to bring in additional infrastructure or use third-party providers, additional assessment and approvals are required.

This includes:

• Gatherings of more than 100 people
• Any use of large or commercial-scale items such as:
  • Marquees, stages, or dance floors,
  • Amusement devices (e.g. jumping castles, inflatables, rides),
  • Food trucks, mobile catering vans or coffee carts,
  • Portable generators or amplified sound systems,
  • Temporary fencing, signage or crowd barriers, or
  • Vehicle access onto grassed areas
• Third-party providers, such as any external supplier engaged to provide services, including catering, face-painting, entertainers, staging, amusement devices or equipment hire.

You can find out more about the approval process on the Public Events Page.

Application Process 

If your gathering meets these criteria, you must complete an Event Application.

Your application should include:

• Estimated number of attendees
• A site plan showing the location of infrastructure and equipment
• Details of third-party suppliers and copies of their insurance/safety documentation
• Set-up and pack-down times

Note: Additional fees, bonds and site inspections may apply to cover maintenance, waste management or potential restoration of grounds.