Permits
The coastal Crown land reserve on the northern Bellarine Peninsula provides beautiful backdrops and open spaces for a variety of events and activities.
Permits are required to use public land for purposes other than personal recreation. Through issuing permits, Bellarine Bayside can ensure use of the coastal reserve is sustainable, equitable, appropriate, safe and preserves our coastal environments.
Who should apply for a permit
If you are planning to conduct an organised event or activity on Bellarine Bayside managed land, other than for personal recreation, you may require a permit. Permits are also required for any commercial activity or those that involve bringing animals other than domestic dogs onto the coast.
Please scroll through the listings below for more information on the types of activities that require permits.
Permit application process
To discuss obtaining a permit, including availability and suitable locations, please contact Michelle on 5254 4006 or email contactus@bellarinebayside.com.au.
Timeframes
Applications must be submitted at a minimum of:
- Two weeks prior for smaller activities,
- Four weeks prior for weddings,
- Eight weeks prior for event applications, with large events potentially requiring up to six months planning.
Permit applications received outside of these timeframes may not be accepted.
Please note that additional approvals and timeframes may be required for new or more complex uses and events.
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If you would like to hold your wedding ceremony on the coast (including on the beach), you will need to apply for a Wedding Permit.
These permits ensure the protection of cultural and natural assets, safety and enjoyment for all coastal users, and that the site is checked and made neat before your wedding.
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All events undertaken on Bellarine Bayside managed coastal reserves that are open for public attendance require a permit.
These permits help ensure the protection and equitable use of the coastal reserve, as well as appropriate siting and safe access to the event. They also ensure site preparation is undertaken if needed, that appropriate services/amenities are allocated and help inform additional key requirements.
Public event permit fees vary based on a combination of event size, site impact, duration and whether it is a commercial or community event.
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Private functions that wish to be allocated a specific area of the coastal reserve, require a Foreshore Permit.
These permits ensure the protection of cultural and natural assets, safety and enjoyment for all coastal users, and that the site is checked and made neat before the event.
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Mobile food vendors are awarded permits through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process, with permits generally issued for three years.
Mobile food vendors can only trade in designated locations under a Bellarine Bayside food vendor permit.
Permit opportunities
Future opportunities will be conducted as a public Expression of Interest process and advertised on this page and our social media.
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We recognise the value that filming and photography provide in promoting awareness and appreciation of the areas we manage.
Permits are required for all commercial filming and photography activities, as well as non-commercial activities (e.g. those conducted by not-for-profits, community groups, charities, schools and students).
Permits are not required for:
- Amateur or hobby photographers who are not making images commercially available.
- People filming or photographing for personal use.
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Private or non-commercial use of drones is not permitted on the coastal Crown land reserve.
Commercial users of drones may apply for a permit issued by Bellarine Bayside to fly on the coastal Crown land reserve.
Use of drones on the coast must abide by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations, designed to keep everyone on the ground and in the air safe. Read more here: www.casa.gov.au/knowyourdrone/drone-rules.
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We welcome and support the use of the coast to further educational opportunities for students. This may be through excursions, camps and/or research activities.
There is no fee associated with educational activities on coastal Crown land; however, a permit is required to ensure sustainable, safe and equitable use.
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Commercial tour operators and educational and recreational activity providers play an important role in helping people access, enjoy and learn about Victoria’s public land.
Any person or business that conducts an organised tour or educational or recreational activity for profit on public land is required to apply for a permit.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Stand-up paddle boarding classes
- Guided tours.
- Snorkelling/Scuba classes or groups.
- Organised fitness activities such as group fitness classes, personal training sessions, and club-type activities (e.g. parkrun).
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Horses are prohibited from all of the coastal Crown land areas that Bellarine Bayside manage (beaches and coastal trail included), with the exception of two historic permits. These two permits operate under strict conditions.
We are not issuing any new permits to ride horses on Bellarine Bayside managed land.
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Permits are also required for other uses of the coast that may disturb public enjoyment of the coastal reserves.
Examples of such activities include, but are not limited to:
- Bringing animals other than domestic dogs onto the coast.
- Promotions, advertising, soliciting or fundraising, whether for commercial or community purposes.
- Installation of signage other than on provided noticeboards.
- Landing or launching aerial craft such as helicopters, planes and paragliders.
For further information, please email contactus@bellarinebayside.com.au.
