City Safety and Amenity permits

General applications

Council arranges a number of Safety and Amenity permits across all areas of the community. This covers permits for: skip bins, shipping or storage containers, clothing recycling bins, real estate advertising signs, road side trading (including: food trucks, market stalls, flower trucks etc), filming permits as well as permit renewals.

Approval process

We will respond to your application within 3-5 business days and we will advise whether an inspection of the site is required before approving the permit.

 

Skip Bins

You must not place Skip Bins or other bulk rubbish containers on a road, nature strip, reserve, or other Council land unless you have a permit. If you place a skip bin on a road, nature strip, reserve, Council land or on public land without a valid permit, penalties apply.

Please note, once a permit has been obtained, Skip Bins can not be placed on a nature strip or a reserve.

We understand that you might require the use of a Skip Bin as part of a clean-up at home.

You must obtain a Skip Bin permit before you arrange for one to be placed on a road or on Council land. This is to ensure public safety, protection of drainage/Council Assets and to avoid potential damage to road surfaces.

The maximum permit period a Skip Bin can be placed on Council land is 5 days.

If the skip can fit on your own property, then you don't need a permit.

It's important that if you do need a permit, that you apply a minimum of 5 working days prior to it being delivered. This allows us time to check that it's safe to have the Skip Bin in your proposed location.

If you want us to check the location prior to submitting your permit contact us on 9217 2170 (as it's a non-refundable application fee). It's also important to keep in mind that placing a Skip Bin on public land without a permit may result in a fine being issued.

Please note, the Skip Bin company you engage must apply for the permit.

Permit conditions

• permit fee is non-refundable
• skip bin may not protrude onto footpaths
• skip bin may not interfere with pedestrian or vehicle flow
• skip bin must not be placed in time restricted parking areas, (No Stopping Areas, Clearways, Loading Zones or Bus Zones)
• it must be placed a minimum of 10 meters from any intersection and not cover any type of service pit
• if the skip is on the road between sunset and sunrise it must have reflective tape on all 4 corners of the skip bin.
• all rubbish and material placed in or around the skip bin with or without consent must be removed by the permit holder
• conditions are subject to change without notice
• breach of permit conditions or any other legislation may result in Cancellation of the permit and/or fines being issued

Apply for a permit

Before placing a Skip Bin on the roadway, in a public place or on Council land, you must submit:

• a completed permit application form
• proof of public liability insurance with a minimum indemnity of $20,000,000
• permit fee of $85.00 (per skip bin)

Complete the application form for Skip Bins and email the form to info@whittlesea.vic.gov.au or Apply for a Skip Bin permit online.

If you prefer, you can apply in person at our customer service counter located at 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang VIC 3752.

For more information, please call our City Safety and Amenity Unit on 9217 2170 during normal business hours.

 

Shipping or Storage Containers

You must not place a Shipping/Storage Container on a road, nature strip, reserve, or other Council land unless you have a permit. If you place a Shipping Container or Storage Container on a road, nature strip, reserve, Council land or on public land without a valid permit, penalties apply.

Please note, once a permit has been obtained, a Shipping or Storage Container cannot be placed on a nature strip or a reserve.

Due to the size of containers, on most occasions it will need to be placed on Council land, in a public place or the roadway in front of your property.

This is to ensure public safety, protection of drainage and to avoid potential damage to the road surface. If, however the container does fit on your property, you don't require a permit.

The permit period is maximum 48 hours.

It's important that if you do need a permit, you apply a minimum of 5 working days prior to it being delivered. This allows us time to check that it's safe to have the container in your proposed location.

If you want us to check prior to submitting your permit, please call us on 9217 2170.

It's important to know that penalties may apply if a shipping/storage container is placed on a roadway, Council land or in a public place without a permit.

Please note, the Shipping or Storage Container company you engage must apply for the permit.

Permit conditions

• permit fee is non-refundable
• container may not protrude into footpaths
• container may not interfere with pedestrian or vehicle flow
• container must not be placed in time restricted parking areas. No Stopping areas, Clearways, Loading Zones or Bus Zones
• it must be placed a minimum of 10 meters from any intersection and not cover any type of service pit
• if the container is on the road between sunset and sunrise it must have clearly placed reflective tape on all four corners
• conditions are subject to change without notice
• breach or permit conditions or any other legislation may result in Cancellation of the permit and/or fines being issued

Apply for a permit

Before placing a Shipping or Storage Container on the roadway, in a public place or on Council land, you must submit:

• a completed permit application form
• proof of public liability insurance with a minimum indemnity of $20,000,000
• permit fee of $200.00 (per container)

Complete the application form for Shipping or Storage Containers and email the form to info@whittlesea.vic.gov.au or Apply for a Shipping or Storage Container permit online.

If you prefer, you can apply in person at the Customer Service counter at the Civic Centre – 25 Ferres Boulevard South Morang VIC 3752.

For more information, please call our City Safety and Amenity Unit on 9217 2170 during normal business hours.

 

Clothing Recycling Bins

Operators of clothing recycling bins must apply for a permit to place their bin in the City of Whittlesea.

Only one bin provider can operate from each location and must pay a permit fee per bin.

We only allow operators to place bins on private land, not Council land, after they have obtained a permit, written approval from the private land owner and met the guidelines.

All clothing recycling bins must be clearly marked with the company name and to also differentiate charity donation bins from commercial operators. This helps the public to make informed choices when making donations.

Clothing recycling bins are intended for clothes only and residents should dispose of rubbish or unwanted household items properly through their free hard waste collections or weekly garbage bin collection.

Apply for a permit

Before placing a clothing recycling bin, you must submit;

• a completed permit application form
• proof of public liability insurance with a minimum indemnity of $20,000,000.
• letter of permission or agreement from the land owner
• a plan showing proposed location of bins, buildings, boundaries, car spaces, access lanes and driveways and the direction in which vehicles travel
• permit fee of $200.00 (per clothing bin).

Complete the application form for Clothing Recycling Bin and email the form to info@whittlesea.vic.gov.au or Apply for a Clothing Recycling Bin permit online (coming soon).

If you prefer, you can apply in person at the Customer Service counter at the Civic Centre – 25 Ferres Boulevard South Morang VIC 3752.

For more information, please call our City Safety and Amenity Unit on 9217 2170 during normal business hours.

 

Real Estate Advertising Signs

A permit is required to place any advertising sign on any nature strips, road reserves and other public land managed by Council, with the exception of pointer boards, which are not permitted on Council land. 

This includes real estate ‘A’ frame signs promoting auction today and open for inspections. Once a permit has been granted, ‘A’ frame signs can only be placed on the nature strip two hours prior to the activity commencing and must be removed within two hours of the activity concluding. 

A permit may also be issued to place a for sale sign on Council land, if the property is not visible from any road. 

Apply for a permit

Before placing any real estate advertising sign on Council land or in a public place, you must submit:

• a completed permit application form
• proof of public liability insurance with a minimum indemnity of $20,000,000
• permit fee of $366.00 (annual permit fee)

Complete the application form for Real Estate A Frame Advertising Signs and email the form to info@whittlesea.vic.gov.au or Apply for a Real Estate A Frame Advertising Signs permit online (coming soon).

If you prefer, you can apply in person at the Customer Service counter at the Civic Centre – 25 Ferres Boulevard South Morang VIC 3752.

For more information, please call our City Safety and Amenity Unit on 9217 2170 during normal business hours.

 

Roadside Trading (Food Trucks, Coffee Vans, Flowers, Fruit Trucks etc)

If you would like to operate a Roadside Trading business within the City of Whittlesea, there are certain guidelines you must follow before you start trading.

Guidelines

1. Roadside Trading is not permitted to operate within 100 metres of an open food business. The exception is if the mobile food truck's hours of operation are outside the existing trading hours of a nearby food business
2. The permit holder must hold a current public liability certificate of currency with a minimum of $20,000,000 indemnity.
3. You must clear any litter from around the Roadside Trading site.
4. A rubbish bin must be supplied by the permit holder for the removal of customer created litter and disposed of by the permit holder in an appropriate manner.
5. The preparation, handling and serving of food and drinks to your patrons must be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Food Act 1984 and our public health unit.
6. Roadside Trading can only operate in the location specified on your permit for the duration of period as specified on your permit.
7. You must submit a Roadside Trading application prior to operating your business. 
8. Submit a Statement of Trade online with Streatrader (at least 5 days before trading). The principal council and the councils where you are trading will automatically be notified

    

Apply for a permit

Complete the application form for Roadside Trading and email the form to info@whittlesea.vic.gov.au or Apply for a Roadside Trading permit online (coming soon).

One of our officers may inspect the site and make sure that you have met all the requirements.

The sites allocated for Roadside Trading are:

1. Norris Bank Parklands. (63W McLeans Road, Bundoora).
2. Aurora Adventure Park. (207W Craigieburn Road, Wollert, Corner of Edgars Road).
3. Mernda Villages, Wetlands Reserve. (132W-146W Mernda Village Drive, Mernda).
4. Whittlesea Public Gardens. (158 Barry Road, Lalor).
5. City of Whittlesea Car Park, Civic Centre. (25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang).
6. Main Street Recreation Reserve. (74 Main Street, Thomastown).

Please note, sites will be allocated to the first applicant that requests that specific location.

Fees

Annual rate: $1.400.00 (GST free)
Quarterly rate: $350.00, every 3 months (GST free) 
One off event:  $85.00 per day (GST free)

If you prefer, you can apply in person at the Customer Service counter at the Civic Centre – 25 Ferres Boulevard South Morang VIC 3752.

For more information, please call our City Safety and Amenity Unit on 9217 2170 during normal business hours.

 

Filming Permit

If you are planning to conduct filming on Council land or in a public place through the City of Whittlesea, you will need to apply for a Filming permit.

Commercial/major impact filming.

You are required to apply for a filming permit if it is a commercial activity or has a major impact.

A major impact shoot involves extensive equipment and crew such as:

• Equipment including tripods, dollies, generators and lighting
• Requirement for tents and/or marquees
• Production trucks and cars
• Requirement for reserved parking
• Requirement of a traffic management plan

Commercial/ minor impact filming

You are required to apply for a filming permit for a minor impact filming activity.

Minor impact could include small budget productions, adds and still shots. Equipment and crew could include but is not limited to:

• A filming activity involving approximately 6 people
• No more than 1 camera, 1 tripod, and handheld sound recording equipment
• Public safety to be maintained at all times
• All public pathways, footpaths and roads must not be blocked

Student and non-profit making filming

Students and non-profit making film makers are still required to apply for a permit. You will not be charged the permit fee.

Filming with a drone

The Civil Aviation Authority (CASA) regulates the use of drones.

Read more on the CASA website.

 

Applying for a permit

Before you start conducting any filming on Council land or in a public place, you must submit:

• a completed permit application form
• proof of public liability insurance with a minimum indemnity of $20,000,000
• a traffic management plan
• permit fee of $170.00.

Complete the application form for Filming and email the form to info@whittlesea.vic.gov.au.

If you prefer, you can apply in person at the Customer Service counter at the Civic Centre – 25 Ferres Boulevard South Morang VIC 3752.

For more information, please call our City Safety and Amenity Unit on 9217 2170 during normal business hours.

 

Renewing your annual permit. (Roadside Trading, Real Estate Advertising Signs and Clothing Recycling Bins).

You must renew your permit before it expires. A renewal letter or email will be sent out to all annual permit holders, informing them of when their permit must be renewed.

You must submit a new copy of your public liability insurance with your renewal application. You can renew your permit in the following ways:

• by mail to:
  City of Whittlesea
  Locked Bag 1,
  Bundoora MDC VIC 3083
• by email to info@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
• in person at our Council’s offices
• online by following the link (coming soon)

For any of the above permit applications, you can lodge your application in person, by mail, via email or online;

• In person - bring your completed form and a copy of your current public liability policy to our customer service counter at the Civic Centre
• Mail - mail your completed form and a copy of your current public liability policy to:
  City of Whittlesea
  Locked Bag 1
  Bundoora MDC VIC 3083
• Via email to -  info@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
• Online by following the link (coming soon)