Public events - planning guide for event licensees
The Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing, in partnership with the Queensland Police Service, has developed the publication "A Planning Guide for Event licensees - Alcohol, Safety and Event Management" to help event licensees conduct events safely and successfully.
Public events include those which:
- are open to the public or casual attendance
- are not restricted by personal invitation of the host of the function
- involve the payment of a fee for admission for the function, or for entertainment or services provided at the function
- are publicly advertised.
To sell liquor at a public event, a Community Liquor Permit or Commercial Public Event Permit must be obtained from the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing.
A well organised and efficiently managed public event or festival can offer the community a range of social, economic and cultural benefits. A mismanaged event can put staff, event patrons and the general public at risk and can expose the event organiser to civil action. It can also lead to prosecution under the Liquor Act 1992 if the sale of alcohol is involved.
The planning guide is a 29-page resource to assist event organisers to work through issues such as:
- selection of a venue
- safety regulations
- public liability
- event promotion
- security and first aid
- management and alcohol
Completing the planning guide will create a management plan for the event. A management plan will be required by the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing if you wish to sell alcohol at any large public event. In most cases, a copy of the management plan will also have to be provided to the local police and council, along with any other relevant agencies.
Even if you are not required to complete a full management plan for the event, the planning guide will help with general information and provides a checklist for guidance.
A Planning Guide for Event Licensees - Alcohol, Safety and Event Management (PDF 635 K)
Event Management Plan (PDF 1,790 K)
Last reviewed 24 December 2008


