Event organisers who want to apply for a special licence to sell or supply alcohol are reminded they need to submit applications at least 20 working days ahead of their planned summer events.

Between 20 December 2023 and 15 January 2024, there are no ‘working days’, which means events planned for February 2024 must have applications lodged by Thursday, 7 December 2023 and events planned for January 2024 must be submitted in November 2023 or earlier.

Special licences can cover one-off or short duration events, and sometimes larger events, such as wine and food festivals. People who want to sell or supply alcohol over the Christmas period and into February need to know the rules and be prepared.

Event organisers are encouraged to:

• Think ahead to any events coming up over Christmas, New Year and into early-February 2024. 
• Download application forms from Council’s website. In some cases, if people have a number of `related events’ they can put them together on one application to form a series. Council can confirm whether the events meet the criteria for a series and the applicable fee that will be charged.
• Use the supplied check-sheet, it lets you know everything that is required to be submitted with your application. 
• Contact Council if you any questions.

The special licence process aims to reduce alcohol-related harm and ensure that events are as safe as possible for everyone attending them. 

The Police and Medical Officer of Health, who are required to report on applications, need time to carry out their part of the process effectively. While late applications may be accepted when a genuine reason can be offered, there can be no guarantee that a licence can be issued when the time frames are not met.

People are encouraged to get in early to ensure applications can be considered.