Event Spaces and Permits
Secure the ideal setting for your next event in Victor Harbor by booking one of our parks or reserves, where vibrant festivals and events come to life in a truly remarkable location.
All bookings are now managed via an online booking system. This system allows users to make and manage bookings for Council venues and other services such as permits, events and temporary event signage.
Step 1: Explore facilities, check availability and submit a tentative booking via our online booking platform.
Step 2: Within 5 days the relevant Council staff member will contact you to discuss your request and required documentation.
Step 3: Submit necessary documents and permits within the timelines provided.
Step 4: Await approval notification from the Council.
Step 5: You may commence promoting your event upon approval.
Need help planning your event?
The City of Victor Harbor has an experienced Festivals and Events Officer responsible for facilitating medium and major events on public land. The officer is also available to provide advice and support for event organisers staging events.
Organisers of medium and major events on public land should contact Council's Festivals and Events Officer before submitting a booking, as additional information will be required.
Contact the Festivals and Events Officer on 8551 0500 or via email at events@victor.sa.gov.au.
Many event spaces and venues exist throughout the City of Victor Harbor that are managed by the Department of Environment and Water (DEW) or the Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT),this includes National Parks and bodies of water.
The information below provides some background on the event spaces available and the governing body responsible for assessment and approval of events.
Council facilities
Community Buildings: The City of Victor Harbor has a range of indoor facilities available for hire including the Victor Harbor Town Hall, Recreation Centre, Coral Street Art Space, Library and CIVIC centre.
Parks, Gardens and Reserves : The City of Victor Harbor is responsible for over 100 parks and reserves, including popular public reserves such as Warland Reserve, Soldiers Memorial Gardens, Soldiers Memorial Reserve, Kent Reserve and Barker Reserve.
Sporting grounds: Two ovals, Encounter Bay Oval and Victor Harbor Oval, are available for hire for events. Formal recreational and sporting use of City of Victor Harbor sporting fields, courts and pitches are managed by a Sporting License between the City of Victor Harbor and an approved club, school or organisation. The City of Victor Harbor can assist in liaising with the License Holder on behalf of the Applicant. Once the site use has been agreed to, ongoing communication between the Applicant and the License Holder is the responsibility of the Applicant.
Waterways: Encounter Lakes and Franklin Island waterways are human made saltwater lakes situated in Encounter Bay. Encounter Lakes has two public swimming beaches, located at C M Thorpe Park (Bartel Boulevard) and J W Crompton Reserve (Tabernacle Road), which can be used for aquatic activities including swimming, windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing, snorkelling and stand up paddle boarding.
The use of Council land is subject to the terms and conditions of use outlined in the Events on Reserves - Terms and Conditions.
To view the range of facilities available visit the page Community Facilities.
All bookings are now managed via an online booking system. This system allows users to make and manage bookings for Council venues and other services such as permits, events and temporary event signage.
Granite Island and National Parks
Granite Island Recreation Park and Newland Head Conservation Park are managed by the Department for Environment and Water (DEW). In order to conduct certain events and activities in a national park or reserve, organisers need to lodge an application to DEW for an event agreement.
Further information can be found here.
The Causeway and Encounter Marine Park
The Causeway from the mainland to Granite Island is owned and managed by Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT). Use of The Causeway for an event or short term activity requires a right of entry permit from DIT, and a letter of support from the City of Victor Harbor.
Where use of the Encounter Marine Park is required for organised aquatic sport or activity - e.g. regattas and swimming events, an aquatic activity license from DIT is required by the organiser. Note - West Island and Wright Island are managed by the City of Victor Harbor with limited permitted public use.
Please contact Council staff who can assist you with this process.
Not all activities held on parks and reserves require a permit, and may be considered general use of a public space. Please phone the Community and Development Administration team on 8551 0500, who will assist you to determine if you are required to complete an Event Permit application.
Purpose | Event Permit type |
Use of a Council reserve, oval or road for a special event. Examples - music events, food and wine festivals, parades, sporting events, fun runs, cultural celebrations, charity and fundraising events. | |
For ongoing periodic use of a reserve, oval or beach for once off or regular fitness activities. | |
For wedding ceremonies on Council land and/or beaches. | |
Schools, sporting clubs, commercial businesses and special events require an Aquatic Activity Permit to undertake organised aquatic activities in Encounter Lakes and Franklin Island waterways. | |
Regular outdoor markets are administered through a lease arrangement. Contact Council's Property Officer to discuss. | Regulars Markets |
In accordance with Council's Festivals and Events Policy, all new major events require approval by Elected Members at a Council meeting, and require a minimum of twelve (12) weeks notice.
All medium and major event organisers are requested to speak with Council’s Festivals and Events Officer on (08) 8551 0500 prior to lodging a Special Event Permit as additional supporting documentation is likely to be required.
Event Type | Description | Lodgment deadlines (minimum) |
Major Event | An event expecting to attract over 1000 people at any one time, or requires installation of significant infrastructure, temporary road closures, or where exemptions have been requested for amplified music. Examples: large music or cultural events, food & wine festivals, parades, large sporting events. | Twelve (12) weeks |
Medium Event | An event expecting to attract between 200 and 1000 people at any one time, or requires installation of moderate infrastructure, liquor licensing and/or requests permission to include commercial stall holders. Examples: fun runs, music events, cultural celebrations. | Minimum eight (8) weeks |
Minor Event | An event expecting to attract up to 200 people at any one time, involves installation of minimal infrastructure, not-for-profit trade stalls. Examples: small charity events, group gatherings, weddings. | Minimum four (4) weeks |
Fees and charges apply for the use of Council reserves and facilities.
| Casual Hire, Community Events, Ticketed (non CVH) | Daily | $ 300.00 |
| Casual Hire, Community Events, Non-Ticketed (non CVH) | Daily | $ 200.00 |
| Casual Hire, Community Events, Ticketed (CVH) | Daily | $ 150.00 |
| Casual Hire, Community Events, Non-Ticketed (CVH) | Daily | $ 100.00 |
| Casual Hire - Commercial (exclusive use) | Daily | $ 450.00 |
| Multiday hire, commercial and community event | POA | |
| Vehicle displays, non-profit, Warland Reserve and Soldiers Memorial Gardens (up to 2 hours) | Up to 2 hours | POA |
| Vehicle displays, non-profit, other reserves (up to 2 hours) | Up to 2 hours | Free |
| Bond, Community Events | $ 300.00 | |
| Bond, Commercial Events | $ 1000.00 | |
| Oval Hire | Daily | $ 250.00 |
Forms and Resources
Special Event Permit Application Form
Event Road Closure Request Application Form
Event Risk Management Template
Event Emergency Response Template
Events on Reserves - Terms and Conditions
Festivals and Events Sponsorship Program
Event Advertising Signage Locations and Permit Application Form
For more information, contact the City of Victor Harbor at 8551 0500 or localgov@victor.sa.gov.au.