NORTHERN TERRITORY MARKET OPERATORS HANDBOOK SECTION

A. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS (NT) 1. Public Land (council land, Darwin Waterfront, parks, beaches, roads) Market operators and stallholders using public land generally must hold Public Liability Insurance, commonly AUD 10–20 million, depending on land-owner requirements. Example: City of Darwin requires event applicants to provide a Certificate of Currency for public liability insurance when seeking permission to use public areas. Source: City of Darwin – Use of Public Spaces. https://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/community/public-space-permits For events at waterfront or NT Government–managed sites, insurance is required as part of the event application process. Example: Darwin Waterfront Corporation requires evidence of appropriate public liability insurance. https://www.waterfront.nt.gov.au/event-application 2. Private Land Insurance requirements for markets on private land depend on agreements between the organiser and property owner. If food is sold, food businesses must comply with the NT Food Act and corresponding registration/notification requirements, which may influence insurance obligations. https://nt.gov.au/industry/hospitality/food-safety/food-businesses B. STALL LAYOUTS & SITE DESIGN 1. Public Land Temporary food stalls must comply with structural and hygiene requirements under the NT Food Act and the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (e.g., shelter, waterproof flooring, equipment protection, hand-washing facilities). https://nt.gov.au/industry/hospitality/food-safety/food-businesses Local councils may require site maps, stall layouts, access paths, waste provisions, and utilities in event or stallholder applications. Example: City of Palmerston event pages specify documentation for markets and community events. https://palmerston.nt.gov.au/community/events 2. Private Land Stall layout is governed by the venue owner and general WHS obligations under NT WorkSafe. https://worksafe.nt.gov.au If food is sold, stall layout must meet the Food Standards Code and NT food-safety requirements regardless of land ownership. C. TRAFFIC FLOW (PEDESTRIAN & VEHICLE MOVEMENT) 1. Public Land Events impacting public roads, footpaths, or requiring road closures must apply for relevant approvals from the NT Government and/or local councils. Example: City of Darwin requires event organisers to advise council when public areas or road access may be affected. https://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/community/public-space-permits For large markets, councils may require: • pedestrian flow mapping • vehicle access controls for stallholder bump-in/out • signage or traffic control documentation (depending on event scale) 2. Private Land Traffic flow is governed by site-owner requirements and NT WHS legislation. If events cause traffic impacts on public roads (parking overflow, temporary access points), councils or the NT Government may require notification or traffic arrangements. D. APPROVAL PROCESSES (EVENTS, STALLS, FOOD BUSINESS) 1. Food Business Registration / Notification (Food Act – NT) All food businesses, including temporary market stalls, must be licensed or registered under the Food Act (NT) with the Department of Health / Environmental Health Officers. https://nt.gov.au/industry/hospitality/food-safety/food-businesses Temporary or mobile food vendors must comply with: • Food business licensing requirements • Food Standards Code (national standards for hygiene, handling, temperature control, equipment) Councils may require separate event-based food stall documentation in addition to NT food licensing. 2. Use of Public Land / Event Permits Markets, pop-up stalls, or events on public land require permits from the relevant council or NT Government agency managing the land. City-specific examples: • City of Darwin – Public Space Permits https://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/community/public-space-permits • Darwin Waterfront – Event Application https://www.waterfront.nt.gov.au/event-application Event applications may require: • public liability insurance • site map • vendor list • waste, power, and toilet provisions 3. Private Land Markets held entirely on private land do not require public land permits but may require: • food business licensing (if food is sold) • compliance with NT planning/building requirements depending on venue use and attendance Planning resource: https://nt.gov.au/property/building-remote-housing-and-infrastructure E. VOLUNTEERS vs STAFF The Food Act (NT) applies equally to volunteers and paid staff when food is handled. https://nt.gov.au/industry/hospitality/food-safety/food-businesses Under NT Work Health and Safety laws, organisations engaging volunteers must ensure volunteer safety consistent with WHS requirements. https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/laws-and-compliance/work-health-and-safety F. SAFETY + FOOD SAFETY + EVENT REQUIREMENTS 1. Food Safety Requirements All temporary food stalls must comply with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (premises, equipment, hygiene, temperature control, contamination protection). https://www.foodstandards.gov.au NT Health Environmental Health Officers may inspect market stalls for compliance with: • food storage • waste and wastewater disposal • water supply • hand-washing facilities • structural suitability 2. General Event Safety Markets/events held on public land often require event documentation covering: • waste management • amenities • emergency access • crowd/pedestrian circulation Example: City of Darwin’s event-related requirements for public space approval. https://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/community/public-space-permits WHS requirements (including risk management and safe systems of work) apply to all markets employing or engaging workers/volunteers. https://worksafe.nt.gov.au REFERENCE LIBRARY — NORTHERN TERRITORY (OFFICIAL LINKS) NT Government – Food Businesses (Food Act NT) https://nt.gov.au/industry/hospitality/food-safety/food-businesses Food Standards Australia New Zealand – Food Standards Code https://www.foodstandards.gov.au City of Darwin – Public Space Permits https://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/community/public-space-permits Darwin Waterfront – Event Application https://www.waterfront.nt.gov.au/event-application City of Palmerston – Events https://palmerston.nt.gov.au/community/events NT WorkSafe – WHS Requirements https://worksafe.nt.gov.au NT Government – Planning & Building (private land, public attendance, venue use) https://nt.gov.au/property/building-remote-housing-and-infrastructure