Business Licences

Conducting business within the region requires appropriate business licences. Fees apply for each application and are valid within a financial year. Inspections are conducted on a periodic basis. Licences are not transferable.

You can obtain a permit by completing the appropriate application and submitting it to the Chief Executive Officer at the address specified on the front of the application form.

Purpose
Local Council laws regulate accommodation to ensure that all rental accommodation, particularly that with shared facilities, complies with adequate health, safety and amenity standards.

Click links below to find out more details on specific licences.

Accommodation Licences  

Accommodation licensing varies, but usually applies to:

  • Flat;
  • Motel;
  • Bed and breakfast;
  • Backpackers accommodation;
  • Holiday cabins.

Types of accommodation that do not require this licence include:

  • a hospital, nursing home, or other institution where people are cared for on a  live-in basis;
  • a residential college or boarding school;
  • a religious institution;
  • a community titles scheme under the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997;
  • a private home in which you provide accommodation for no more than 3 boarders;
  • accommodation administered under the  Residential Services (Accreditation) Act 2002; or
  • premises that local law policies exclude from licensing requirements.

You should include the following items with your application:

  • a plan of the premises;
  • details of any shared accommodation facilities;
  • other information and materials required under the local law policies 

Council may issue permits with conditions that require you to:

  •  limit the number of persons in the premises (or in a specified part of the premises) for whom you may provide accommodation;
  • carry out specified modifications, or other specified building work related to the premises, within a specified period;
  • regularly maintain the premises (including internal and external paintwork);
  • provide and maintain specified facilities, specified furniture and equipment;
  • regularly clean the premises;
  • regularly provide clean linen and towels, if relevant to the type of  accommodation you provide;
  • provide services of specified kinds (e.g. safe custody of valuables) for the persons using the accommodation;
  • reside, or have a Local Council-approved representative reside, on the premises
  • keep specified records.

Advertising Signs  

Under what circumstances is it required?

Advertising control exists so that advertisements and associated structures complement (or at least do not unreasonably detract from) desirable characteristics of the natural and built environment in which the advertisements appear.

Council’s Local Laws permit certain advertising signs, and you may erect these without seeking approval.  You should consult with Council to determine whether the sign you wish to erect requires approval.

If you are advertising on a state-controlled road, contact the Main Roads Department for information on the State Government roadside advertising policy.

Definition of Terms:

Please note that these definitions are taken directly from legislation.

Advertisement ‘Advertisement’ means an advertisement or sign that is visible from a road or other public place and includes a structure that forms part of the advertisement or sign, or to which it is attached, or on which it is exhibited.
Permitted advertisement ‘Permitted Advertisement’ means an advertisement classified as a permitted advertisement (e.g. real estate, construction and election signs).

Your application must include:

  • evidence that you have either received or applied for a development permit  (if you require this permit under the Integrated Planning Act 1997);
  • the written consent of the owner and occupier of the place in which you intend to  exhibit the advertisement (if you do not control this place).

Your advertisement must:

  • be structurally sound;
  • not significantly obstruct or distract vehicular or pedestrian traffic;
  • be exhibited according to applicable Environmental Protection policies;
  • bear a reasonable relationship to the dimensions of surrounding buildings and  allotments so that:
    its presence is not overly dominating or oppressive
    it does not unreasonably obstruct existing views
  • be consistent in colour and appearance with buildings and natural features of the  environment in which you plan to place it
  • be consistent with the character and values of the environment in which you plan to place it.

You must have Public Liability Insurance.

Commercial Use of Roads  

Commercial use roads are governed by Local Law No. 20 (Commercial use of Roads) 20 and requires a permit for any activity in which you might use or obstruct the footpath and when applicable, a development approval may be submitted.

Examples include:

  • fundraising stall;
  • temporary market stalls;
  • sidewalk sales;
  • property renovation/rubbish removal that requires a ‘skip’ or other temporary;
    structure on the footpath.

Using or obstructing footpaths is regulated in order to:

  • protect public safety;
  • ensure that people do not compromise the desirable characteristics of the natural  and built environment.

A permit may be granted under the following conditions:

  • you do not place the stall in the immediate vicinity of a shop selling similar products;
  • you situate the stall so that no undue obstruction of pedestrian traffic occurs;
  • you set specific hours of operation;
  • You keep noise at an acceptable level without detriment to neighbouring properties. Amplified noise, public address systems or loudhailers may be prohibited;
  • You keep and leave the area in a clean and tidy condition;
  • You display your permit and/or parking permit at the stall;
  • You maintain a clear unobstructed corridor on the footway between the approved area and roadside kerb. (However, the Council may require a larger distance if it determines pedestrian traffic density requires an increased footway.);
  • You ensure that all fixtures, fitting and devices placed on the footway are of sound construction and design and aesthetically acceptable to Council, and you maintain these properly;
  • You use the approved footpath area during normal business trading hours.

This permit does not apply to stalls where food is prepared or sold. A separate ‘Temporary Food Stall Permit’ or ‘Standing Stall Permit’ is available from Council. You should check with the Council regarding specific requirements.

Entertainment Venues  

Entertainment licensing varies, but usually applies to:

  • Cinema;
  • Theater;
  • Concert hall;
  • Billiard saloon;
  • Electronic games centre;
  • Indoor sports center (including bowling gallery);
  • Gymnasium (which may include a pool or spa);
  • Art gallery museum;
  • Tourist attraction;
  • Bazaar or flea market;
  • Water park or water slide park;
  • Theme park;
  • Animal entertainment park;
  • Other facilities used as an entertainment venue.

You should include the following items with your application:

1.   A detailed to scale plan clearly showing
a.   plan of the entertainment venue; and
b.   details and drawings of buildings and other structural elements of the entertainment venue;

2.   A detailed statement of the nature of the entertainment to be provided at the entertainment venue and when the entertainment venue is to be open to the public;
3.   If the applicant is not the owner of the entertainment venue – the written consent of the owner; and if approval of anything to be done under the permit is required under another law – a certified copy or other appropriate evidence of the approval.


Stalls on Footpaths  

To hold a stall, or similar activities, in a particular location within the region, it is required the below form is downloaded and returned to Council with the relevant information.

Also attached should be a Certificate of Currency of Insurance taken out against injury or property damage resulting from activities authorized by the permit i.e. If the applicant is representing an incorporated association, then that incorporated association should have the required insurance to cover against any claims of injury or property damage.

 Download Stall Permit

Liquor Consumption Permits  

A permit is required for the consumption of liquor in non-licensed areas.

Information on obtaining a permit is available here.