Filming on public land and roads

City of Moreton Bay has many fantastic locations that may be used for film production or media promotions.  

If you are considering undertaking a commercial film production or media promotion on a public land you may need to submit a commercial use of public land and roads application. A commercial film production or media promotion means soliciting goods and services for profit on public land and roads. If this does not describe your film production or media promotion, you will apply for a non-commercial approval.

Council regulates these activities to ensure they are carried out safely while taking other public space users and residents into consideration, and to maintain the purpose and amenity of our public spaces.

When do I need approval?

Depending on the type of filming or production you may require either a commercial or non-commercial approval. 

The following productions require commercial approval:

  • feature and short films
  • news media/multimedia
  • media promotional activities
  • outside broadcasting
  • documentaries
  • one off photoshoots*
  • television and radio programs and commercials
  • corporate/music videos
  • remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) filming and photography.

* Recurring photoshoots will require a commercial use of public land and roads local law approval e.g. a commercial photographer charging a family to take portraits at a park on an ongoing basis. This can be done by completing the commercial use of public land and roads application filling in the sections associated to trading on public land and roads.

Some filming may not need approval if the production is considered low risk. If you are unsure whether your activity requires an approval, contact Council on (07) 3205 0555.

The following film production and media promotions are exempt:

  • private use
  • live-to-air reporting
  • weddings. 

Council cannot assess productions on state and federal roads or reserves (this includes marine and national parks). Contact the relevant authority for the requests of the at these types of locations.

What do I need to know?

Low-impact filming production requests

Low impact film production and media promotion means a film production or media promotion that generally lasts less than five consecutive days and does not involve:

  • the assembly of temporary buildings or structures
  • traffic management or parking restrictions
  • fireworks
  • and is otherwise appropriate for classification as a low impact film production or media promotion in Council’s opinion.

You need to submit your application and all supporting documentation a minimum of 10 business days before the commencement of filming or promotions.

Once all supporting documents have been provided, your application will be reviewed and assessed under the Commercial Use of Public Land and Roads Local Law 2023.

High-impact filming production requests

A high impact filming production is filming that includes:

  • the assembly of temporary buildings or structures
  • traffic management or parking restrictions
  • fireworks.

You need to submit your application and all supporting documentation a minimum of 20 business days before the commencement of filming or promotions.

Once all supporting documents have been provided, your application will be reviewed and assessed under the Commercial Use of Public Land and Roads Local Law 2023.

How to apply - Commercial

Step 1.Prepare a site plan

Prepare a detailed site plan for each location using the Filming site plan template(DOCX, 46KB).

Step 2.Complete a risk management plan

Complete the Risk management plan template(DOCX, 927KB).

Step 3.Take out public liability insurance

Evidence of a current public liability insurance policy to the value of $20,000,000 in the same name as the applicant should be provided with your application.

Any other party or provider associated with your activity should also have public liability cover and provide evidence of this cover to the organiser.

Step 4.Collect supporting documents

The following supporting documents may be required and will need to be submitted with the Commercial use of land and roads application:

  • evidence this production will benefit or promote the Moreton Bay region
  • a traffic management plan (if applicable).

Step 5.Review conditions

Review and understand the Events and filming conditions(PDF, 507KB). Specific conditions may be added after your application has been assessed.

Step 6.Review the fees and charges

In accordance with Council’s fees and charges, the costs are:

  • High impact - a application fee of T973 
  • Low impact - a application fee of T1206

This fee is payable at the time of application. Council will contact you for payment.

Other fees that may be payable closer to your event date. These are:

  • a daily charge of T1193 for commercial use of public land change
  • Council may require a bond to be paid.

A bond may be required for film productions and media promotions. The bond will be determined by Council based on a risk assessment of the proposed film production or media promotion.

Step 7.Complete an application form

Download and complete a Commercial use of public land and roads(PDF, 923KB) application form.

Submit your completed application along with supporting documentation using any of the below options:

The applicant for an approval must be a legal entity, such as an individual, private company, company, incorporated body, unincorporated body, partnership, body corporate or trustee.

How to apply - Non-commercial

Step 1.Prepare a site plan

Prepare a detailed site plan for each location using the Filming site plan template(DOCX, 46KB).

Step 2.Complete a risk management plan

Complete the Risk management plan template(DOCX, 927KB).

Step 3.Take out public liability insurance

Evidence of a current public liability insurance policy to the value of $20,000,000 in the same name as the applicant should be provided with your application.

Any other party or provider associated with your activity should also have public liability cover and provide evidence of this cover to the organiser.

Step 4.Collect supporting documents

The following supporting documents may be required and will need to be submitted with the Events (filming section) application:

  • evidence this production will benefit or promote the Moreton Bay region
  • a traffic management plan (if applicable).

Step 5.Review conditions

Review and understand the Events and filming conditions(PDF, 507KB). Specific conditions may be added after your application has been assessed.

Step 6.Review the fees and charges

In accordance with Council’s fees and charges, the costs are:

  • High impact - a application fee of T973 
  • Low impact - a application fee of T1206

This fee is payable at the time of application. Council will contact you for payment.

Other fees that may be payable closer to your event date. These are:

  • Council may require a bond to be paid.

A bond may be required for film productions and media promotions. The bond will be determined by Council based on a risk assessment of the proposed film production or media promotion.

Step 7.Complete an application form

Download and complete a Events (filming section) application(PDF, 832KB) form.

Submit your completed application along with supporting documentation using any of the below options:

The applicant for an approval must be a legal entity, such as an individual, private company, company, incorporated body, unincorporated body, partnership, body corporate or trustee.

Can my fees be waived?

Council reserves the right to waive fees for film productions and media promotions including those by:

  • not-for-profit and community organisations
  • persons who are filming a production or carrying out a media promotion which reflects positively on the Moreton Bay Region
  • students studying at an educational institution.

For consideration of fee exemptions for student productions, the following must be provided:

  • evidence from the higher educational institution confirming proof of enrolment in the relevant subject/unit
  • letter from the higher educational institution stating that the production will be conducted for the enrolled course
  • Certificate of currency for Public liability insurance issued by the higher educational institution.

A fee may be charged if:

  • amendments are required to be submitted on applications.
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