Park bookings and consents

Brisbane City Council has responsibility to protect, manage and maintain Brisbane parks. This provides fair use and enjoyment of, and access to, parks by residents and visitors.

While many activities in parks do not need Council approval, you may need to:

• book for exclusive use of a park booking site; and/or
• obtain consent to conduct a specific activity or event in a park.

There is opportunity for people to apply to Council for approval to use park space for a specific purpose.

Park activities requiring a booking or consent

Some activities or events in parks will incur fees, security bond and/or other charges. If applicable, park fees will be invoiced after Council assesses your application.

You will need to apply to Council to book a park booking site for exclusive use for a private function or gathering, such as a birthday party or wedding.

You will need to apply to Council for a park use consent for the following activities:

• commercial activities
• use of Council power or other utility
• activities involving animals, other than domestic pets
• distributing or making available, any notices, literature, or similar promotional materials
• affixing or posting any bills or placards
• use of any temporary structures covering more than 15m 2
• activities involving large numbers of participants or that may cause impact on the park, park users or neighbouring properties.

Some common activities in parks that require consent include:

• activities undertaken by kindy or childcare providers, schools or after school hours / vacation care providers on a regular basis or with groups of more than 30 participants
• busking
• coffee and food vendors
• fairs, fetes, festivals
• fundraising or promotional activities or events
• fun runs, cross country and orienteering events
• markets
• metal detecting involving digging up or disturbing soil to remove targets (note: removal of targets from grass or soft fall without disturbing soil does not require consent)
• parties with jumping castles
• personal training and other health, well-being and life skills classes
• recreation equipment hire, lessons and tours
• slacklining
• social and community welfare outreach services.

Refer to the Community Guidelines - Use of Council Parks (Word - 133.5kb) for more information about activities in parks that require consent.

There are specific one-stop-shop application processes that apply to major events, filming and personal training in Council parks.

Prohibited and restricted activities

Find out which activities Council prohibits or restricts in parks.

How to apply

You should make your application at least 10 working days before your activity or event. This allows time for processing and for Council to discuss any changes to your application.

Your application will be acknowledged within two working days of Council receiving it. The application may take up to 10 working days to be processed.

Other approvals

You may need to consider other approvals for your park activity or event including:

• an event permit if your event is expected to have 1000 or more people attending over the duration of the event
• a liquor licence from Queensland Government if you are providing or selling alcohol
• a temporary food stall licence if you are providing or selling food
• a marine park permit if you are operating a tourism program with the Moreton Bay Marine Park area (refer to Queensland Parks and Wildlife for more information).

You can apply for vehicle access relating to your park activity as part of your online application. Council restricts vehicle access in many parks. In some circumstances vehicle access may be available subject to Council's discretion.

More information

Read our guidelines for using Council parks:

If you are unsure whether your park activity or event requires an application or is prohibited or restricted, contact Council for more information.