Hundreds of events and festivals across Brisbane will have their permit fees radically reduced or cut all together.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the landmark reforms to reduce fees and streamline the approval process will benefit existing organisers and help create more events and festivals for residents and visitors.

“Our city is Australia’s lifestyle capital and we’re committed to delivering free and affordable activities, events, and festivals right across Brisbane,” Cr Schrinner said.

“Whether it’s a major festival that’s attended by tens of thousands of people or a school fete with a few hundred locals, our reforms to event fees are a huge win for organisers as well as residents.

These changes are squarely aimed at helping ensure much-loved existing events and new ones continue to be staged throughout Brisbane for our residents despite rising living costs.”

Event organisers currently pay between $1656.60 and $3392.50, depending on the size of the event.

Under the changes unveiled ahead of the 2023-24 Council Budget:

  • Venues such as cinemas, schools, gyms and churches will no longer have to pay event permit fees at all. This is an annual saving of $2145.
  • Events attended by more than 2000 people that will have little or no community impact will be able to self-assess and pay just $75, saving of more than $1500.
    • Self-assessable events will need to be held between 7am and 10pm over five days or less.
  • Events that require assessment, which include those with outdoor music, alcohol or road closures, will pay between $1650 and $3502. 
  • Well-established assessable events will be eligible to apply for permit for up to three years, saving them thousands of dollars. 

“We want to make it cheaper and easier for community events to be held across our suburbs,” Cr Schrinner said.

“Events are integral for a thriving and vibrant community as they bring people together and deliver more to see and do for residents. 

This change will streamline the event permit process, reduce red tape and deliver substantial savings.

This change is set to deliver savings for events of all sizes, from farmers markets and fitness groups to pop-up cinemas and community hall events.”

The changes to the Events Local Law 2022 will go to full Council for support on Tuesday 6 June, with the new fees and charges to then be published in the upcoming 2023/24 Budget