Nearly everyone knows they need a liquor licence from the VGCCC. Far fewer know that consuming liquor in a public place also needs a separate permit from the Shire under its local law, and that the two are entirely different applications to entirely different bodies.
They are also both checked on the day. Each bar displays the licence, and the organiser carries a physical copy of the local law permit. An event that has one and not the other is not compliant, whatever the licence says.
Not in the council guideThe Consumption of Liquor Local Law Permit does not appear in the Shire Event Planning Guide. We found it because we held one: Local Law Permit LL2025_0041, issued alongside the VGCCC licence for the Sorrento Solstice Festival.
What applies, and when
3 requirements sit under this topic, longest lead time first. Lead times are counted back from the first public day of your event.
Temporary liquor licence (VGCCC)
3 months before
Apply to another body
VGCCC · Copy to the Shire before the event; displayed on event day
Required to serve or sell alcohol. Every bar vendor must hold their own licence or formally operate under the principal licensee's licence: no unlicensed trading. Licensed areas marked on the site plan; RSA requirements apply at all times. If the site involves Parks Victoria land, obtain PV's written consent BEFORE applying for any liquor authority.
Why this mattersVGCCC processing is slow in event season, so apply months out, not weeks. Every bar operator needs their own licence or a formal arrangement under the principal licensee, and 'she'll be right, they're licensed at their venue' is not a thing: licences are tied to the place. No licence displayed, no trading.
Consumption of Liquor Local Law Permit
3 months before
Apply to another body
Shire Local Laws · Separate from your VGCCC licence
A local law permit for liquor consumption in a public place, obtained through the Shire in addition to the VGCCC licence. Must be displayed alongside the liquor licence on event day, with a physical copy carried by the organiser or a designated representative.
Why this mattersThe one that catches everyone: the Shire's Consumption of Liquor Local Law Permit is a separate approval from the VGCCC licence, and you need both. It gets displayed alongside the licence at each bar, with a physical copy carried by the organiser. Budget an extra approval cycle for it.
Verified against: The permit itself: Local Law Permit LL2025_0041, held alongside the VGCCC licence; not stated in the Shire guide.
Alcohol Management Plan
3 months before
We draft it
Mornington Peninsula Shire / VGCCC · With your liquor licence application
Type of alcohol and container use, licensed (red line) zone containment, dry zones and water availability, food options, security and staffing, toilet access and trading hours.
Why this mattersThe red line on your site plan is a legal boundary, not a suggestion: liquor cannot leave it. Plan the practicalities now: how the boundary is fenced and signed, where the dry zones are, free water at every bar, and what time last drinks gets called. RSA for every pour, no exceptions.
Budget for an extra approval cycle. Two bodies, two timelines, and neither will hurry for the other.
Find out which of these apply to your event
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