Toilet numbers follow published ratios that change with attendance, duration and whether alcohol is served. Drinking water volumes shift with temperature and physical activity. Waste follows a bin calculation, and on the Peninsula it also has to satisfy the single-use plastics policy.
Accessibility and smoke-free measures are not optional extras. They are conditions, and they are checked.
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.
Toilet facilities to Shire ratios
2 months before
Collect from a provider
Mornington Peninsula Shire · Book portable toilets early for peak season
Numbers depend on crowd size, alcohol, gender mix, existing facilities and duration. Toilets must be provided or hired if public toilets are unavailable or inadequate. Accessible toilets must be provided. Coordinate with the Events Team for servicing and access.
Why this mattersThe Shire publishes exact ratios by crowd size and alcohol, so there's no negotiating on numbers; the app calculates yours. In summer season portable toilet fleets book out weeks ahead. Position them on your site plan with servicing access, and don't forget the accessible units.
Waste Management Plan (incl. single-use plastics policy)
2 months before
We draft it
Mornington Peninsula Shire · A condition of your Event Permit
Equal numbers of general waste and recycling bins; you cannot rely on existing public bins. Council's single-use plastics policy applies: no plastic bags, straws, balloons, confetti, glitter, styrofoam or single-serve condiments; natural-source serving ware; water bottle refill access for patrons. All waste removed post event or the Shire will clean at your cost.
Why this mattersThe Shire's single-use plastics policy is a permit condition and it applies to your vendors, not just you: no plastic straws, balloons, styrofoam or single-serve sachets, and patrons must be able to refill water bottles. You also can't rely on the public bins that are already there. Brief every vendor in writing before the event.
Accessible and inclusive event measures
2 months before
Collect from a provider
Mornington Peninsula Shire · Confirm access routes and facilities before opening
Plan for physical access, accessible toilets, communication needs, and free admission for Companion Card holders' carers. Larger events should document an Accessibility & Inclusion Policy and inspect accessibility routes before opening each day. The Shire publishes an inclusive event checklist.
Why this mattersCompanion Card holders' carers get free entry; that's a scheme obligation, not a courtesy. Walk the accessibility routes before gates open each day, because overnight bump-in has a way of parking a generator across the accessible path. Accessible toilets are mandatory, not optional extras.
Free drinking water
1 month before
Collect from a provider
Mornington Peninsula Shire · Must be freely available, or cheaper than any other drink
Quantities scale with temperature, duration, activity and alcohol. Patrons must be able to refill water bottles (single-use plastics policy).
Why this mattersFree drinking water is a hard requirement: freely available, or at worst cheaper than any other drink, and patrons must be able to refill bottles. Mark the stations on the site plan and check flow on the morning; a queue at one broken tap on a warm day becomes a first aid problem by mid-afternoon.
Smoke-free event measures
14 days before
Collect from a provider
Shire Environmental Health · No Smoking signage in place before gates open
Smoking is banned at food fairs and within 10 metres of food vendors. Display No Smoking signage at entrances and food areas. Contact the Shire Environmental Health Team on 1300 850 600 if unsure.
Why this mattersIt is a state tobacco-law requirement, not a preference: no smoking within 10 metres of where food is sold. A few No Smoking signs at the entrances and around the food area covers it, and it is the kind of small thing an inspector notices immediately.
The app calculates all of these from your attendance, hours and activities, to the Shire's own published ratios.
Find out which of these apply to your event
Answer plain questions about your event once. Sorted Permits works out exactly which of the 47 requirements apply, when each is due, and drafts the documents for you to review.
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