Two thresholds do most of the work. Within 200 metres of the high-water mark, DEECA must be notified. Occupy a foreshore space for more than 48 hours in total, counting bump in and bump out, and consent under the Marine and Coastal Act is engaged.
That 48 hours is cumulative and it catches people. A one-day event with a day of setup either side has been on site for three days, not one.
Not in the council guideThe Parks Victoria track is a parallel permit with its own thirteen-item event plan, its own fees and its own thirty-day deadlines. It is not described in the Shire guide. We found it running the Sorrento Solstice Festival: Parks Victoria permit PA-0001224.
What applies, and when
5 requirements sit under this topic, longest lead time first. Lead times are counted back from the first public day of your event.
Parks Victoria event permit
4 months before
Apply to another body
Parks Victoria · Own deadlines: fee and Event Plan due 30 days before the event
Events using Parks Victoria managed land or waters (including barges or vessels offshore) need a separate PV permit with its own compliance track: permit fee paid 30+ days prior; a PV Event Plan submitted 30+ days prior covering 13 prescribed items (staff list, program, equipment locations, traffic, signage, toilets/water, waste, authority notifications, noise compliance, marketing, local business packages); Certificate of Currency with PV's interests noted BEFORE the permit period; workers comp evidence; and permit execution rules for incorporated associations (two committee signatories). Watch for special conditions: amplified sound caps (55dB(A)), drone bans, and vessel monitoring requirements. Marine Safety Victoria requirements apply to vessels. Phone 13 19 63.
Why this mattersA Parks Victoria permit is a parallel universe with its own deadlines, and its insurance clause is a condition precedent: no certificate of currency with PV's interests noted, no permit, potentially days before your event. Incorporated associations need two committee signatures to execute it. Watch the special conditions; sound caps and drone bans hide in the schedules.
Check planning permit requirements
4 months before
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Shire Statutory Planning · Ask Statutory Planning early; MACA needs the answer
Some venues require a Planning Permit depending on zoning and land use. Your MACA application must state whether a planning permit is required and has been submitted; if not required, obtain written confirmation from Council. Call 1300 850 600.
Why this mattersYour MACA application must state the planning permit position either way, so you need Statutory Planning's answer before DEECA will play. If no permit is required, get that in writing; a verbal 'you're fine' doesn't attach to an application. One phone call, then one email asking them to confirm it.
Camping approval
4 months before
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Shire Events team · Designated areas only
Camping is only allowed in designated areas. Contact camping@mornpen.vic.gov.au.
Why this mattersCamping is only lawful in designated areas, and 'they'll just sleep in the carpark' is how events lose their permits. If overnight stays are part of your event, talk to the Events team early about what's actually available.
MACA consent (Marine and Coastal Act 2018)
3 months before
We draft it
DEECA · Allow at least 60 business days processing
Required when a foreshore space is occupied longer than 48 hours (including bump in/out) within 200 metres of the waterline. Email the application, site plan and written consent from your Event Permitting Officer to enviroplan.portphillip@deeca.vic.gov.au. The application also asks for: planning permit status (or written confirmation none is required), land manager endorsement, the CHMP Activities Questionnaire result, and consistency statements against the Marine and Coastal Policy.
Why this mattersSixty business days is roughly three calendar months, making this one of the longest lead times in the whole process, and the clock only starts when the application is complete. The 48 hours includes bump in and bump out, which is what catches people: a one-day festival with two build days is over the line. Apply the moment your dates firm up.
Notify DEECA (event within 200m of high-water mark)
1 month before
We draft it
DEECA · At least 1 month prior (permit condition)
Events on Crown land within 200 metres of the high-water mark must notify DEECA (enviroplan.portphillip@deeca.vic.gov.au) at least one month prior. This notification applies even when full MACA consent is not required.
Why this mattersAn obscure one that catches even experienced organisers: any event on Crown land within 200 metres of the high-water mark must notify DEECA a month out, even when full MACA consent isn't needed. It's one email to the Port Phillip enviroplan address. The app pre-fills it; just send it.
Verified against: Condition tied to Parks Victoria permit PA-0001224 (Crown land within 200m of the high-water mark); not stated in the Shire guide.
Find out which of these apply to your event
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