QUEENSLAND MARKET OPERATORS HANDBOOK SECTION

A. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS (QLD) 1. Public Land (council-controlled land, parks, roads) Public liability insurance Queensland Government procurement guidance states that for certain public events and facilities, public liability insurance is compulsory and checked through a licensing authority. ForGov Brisbane City Council’s Event Customer Guide states that event permit holders are required to have current public liability insurance for the duration of the event, including bump-in and bump-out, in the same name as the permit holder. Brisbane City Council Redland City Council event planning information states applicants are required to hold public liability insurance cover for AUD 20 million, noting Council as an interested party. events.redland.qld.gov.au Several Queensland councils publish factsheets indicating that applicants holding events on council-owned or controlled land or facilities are required to hold public liability insurance and to indemnify council against liability (for example, Douglas Shire Council and Mackay Regional Council). Douglas Shire Council+2Mackay Regional Council+2 Product and other liability Queensland Government guidance on determining insurance requirements notes that public liability insurance can include cover for liability to third parties for personal injury or property damage arising from business activities, which can encompass public events and facilities. ForGov Workers’ compensation and related cover Work health and safety in Queensland is governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) and supporting regulations, which set out requirements and standards for building healthy and safe workplaces and place legal obligations on businesses and workers. WorkSafe Queensland 2. Private Land (private venues, farms, private car parks) Insurance requirements on private land are governed by contractual arrangements between the event organiser and the landowner or venue, and by general Queensland insurance and work health and safety frameworks. ForGov+1 Councils and state guidance documents refer to public liability insurance in the context of approvals, but where markets operate entirely on private land without council land use, insurance requirements are determined through private agreements and any conditions attached to licences or permits (for example, food business licences). longreach.qld.gov.au+2City of Gold Coast+2 B. STALL LAYOUTS & SITE DESIGN 1. Public Land Event layout and amenities Queensland Government “Best practice guidelines for event delivery in Queensland” discuss event layout, public amenity, and facilities including access, toilets, parking and circulation, as part of planning safe events. Queensland Government+1 The same guidelines list items councils can advise on in addition to an event permit, including signage and advertising, noise restrictions, temporary road closures, traffic and parking management plans, and events held in parks. Queensland Government Electrical, gas and temporary food structures Food Standards Australia New Zealand information on temporary food premises states that food sold at temporary events such as markets must meet the same food safety requirements as other food businesses, and includes guidance on structure, layout and facilities for temporary stalls. Food Standards Australia New Zealand Guidelines for food businesses at events issued by Queensland local governments describe construction and food-handling requirements for temporary food premises, including layout and equipment, floor plans and handwashing facilities. Cook Shire Council+2Sunshine Coast Council+2 Accessibility and emergency access Queensland event best practice guidelines and local government events toolkits include event management plan templates that address access, site layout, emergency access, amenities, and waste management for outdoor events on council sites. Brisbane City Council+3City of Gold Coast+3Queensland Government+3 2. Private Land Stall layouts on private land are governed by the site’s building and fire safety requirements, any relevant planning conditions and the general work health and safety duties under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld), which require workplaces to manage risks and maintain safe conditions. WorkSafe Queensland Where council-issued food or event licences are also involved (for example, a market held in a privately owned venue but requiring a food business licence), layout expectations for food stalls and amenities are described in council licensing guidelines. Sunshine Coast Council+3longreach.qld.gov.au+3southburnett.qld.gov.au+3 C. TRAFFIC FLOW (PEDESTRIAN & VEHICLE) 1. Public Land State-controlled roads The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) “Traffic management at special events” page states that special events that impact state-controlled roads require a process to manage traffic, and provides a flow chart and FAQs for understanding approvals and traffic management requirements. Department of Transport and Main Roads+1 TMR’s “Other matters requiring approval” page states that any activity, structure or thing undertaken or located within the boundaries of a state-controlled road requires approval, usually in the form of a Road Corridor Permit, under the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994. Department of Transport and Main Roads TMR’s Traffic Control Permit information outlines the system for applying for permits related to traffic control on state-controlled roads through a digital customer portal. Department of Transport and Main Roads Council-controlled roads and local traffic TMR notes that where events impact council-controlled roads, organisers need to liaise with Queensland Police Service (QPS) and local councils for managing event impacts. Department of Transport and Main Roads Queensland event best practice guidelines include sections on temporary road closures, traffic and parking management plans, and event-related traffic considerations. Queensland Government+1 Pedestrian movement and crowd areas Queensland event planning guides, including the Best Practice Guidelines for Event Delivery and the Event Management Planning Guide, address crowd movement, queuing, access ways, and safe movement of patrons within event sites. Queensland Government+2Publications Queensland Government+2 2. Private Land Traffic flow on private land (for example, car parks or internal roads owned by a venue) is governed by the general duty under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) to manage risks to health and safety in workplaces, including vehicle movements and interaction with pedestrians. WorkSafe Queensland Where access to or from private land uses state-controlled or council roads, any associated works or traffic control may fall under TMR or council permit frameworks for special events and road corridor use. Department of Transport and Main Roads+1 D. COUNCIL APPROVAL PROCESSES 1. Public Land Event permits and assessable events The Queensland Government Best Practice Guidelines for Event Delivery state that, in addition to an event permit, local councils can advise whether other approvals are required for event elements such as food vendors, serving or selling alcohol, signage and advertising, noise restrictions, temporary road closures, traffic and parking management plans, and events in parks. Queensland Government Brisbane City Council’s Assessable Events Rule sets out the information BCC may require to support an application for an assessable event permit under its events framework. Brisbane City Council Local government event guides such as Gold Coast City Council’s Events Toolkit and BCC’s Event Customer Guide provide application processes, event management plan templates and information on planning outdoor events on council land. City of Gold Coast+1 Food business registration and temporary stalls Queensland Health advises that under the Food Act 2006 most food businesses in Queensland require a licence from their local council. Queensland Government Brisbane City Council’s “Running a food business” page states that food business licences apply to fixed locations, temporary stalls such as market stalls, and mobile vehicles such as food trucks. Brisbane City Council+1 Multiple Queensland councils publish specific information on temporary or market food stall licences, including Sunshine Coast Council, City of Gold Coast, Logan City Council, Cairns Regional Council, South Burnett Regional Council, Longreach Regional Council and Central Highlands Regional Council. These documents describe licence application processes, layout plans, food safety requirements and licence types (annual or one-off). Central Highlands Regional Council+10Sunshine Coast Council+10Sunshine Coast Council+10 Alcohol and liquor-related approvals The Queensland Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation’s Guideline 32 on community liquor permits and commercial public event permits states that applicants for certain permits must submit an event management plan in a form prescribed by the Commissioner for Liquor and Gaming. Business Queensland The “Event Management Plan – Alcohol Safety and Event Management” guide describes event management planning requirements for events involving alcohol. Publications Queensland Government+1 2. Private Land Food businesses operating from fixed premises on private land are covered by local council food business licensing frameworks, as described by Queensland Health, Business Queensland and local councils. Queensland Government+2longreach.qld.gov.au+2 Where markets operate from private land but are open to the public, local council approvals can still apply for food licences, signage, noise, parking, and in some cases development or planning approvals, consistent with information in event and licensing guides from Queensland Government and councils. Queensland Government+1 E. VOLUNTEERS VS STAFF 1. Volunteers The Queensland Government’s volunteering information states that volunteers and organisations using volunteers have obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. Queensland Government WorkSafe Queensland’s “Non profit organisations and volunteers” guidance states that volunteers who carry out work for persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) are required to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and not to create risks to others, and may be prosecuted for failing to comply with their duties. WorkSafe Queensland Guidance on businesses and volunteers under Queensland asbestos safety information notes that volunteers are “workers” under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) when they carry out work in any capacity for a PCBU, and that PCBUs have obligations to ensure volunteers receive the same protection as paid workers. asbestos.qld.gov.au+1 Volunteering Queensland’s Code of Practice refers to maintaining policies and procedures in compliance with legislation relevant to volunteer workers, including the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. Volunteering Queensland 2. Staff (employees) Work Health and Safety laws in Queensland are set out in the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) and supported by regulations and approved codes of practice. These laws outline obligations on businesses and workers to protect health, safety and welfare in workplaces. WorkSafe Queensland Queensland Government workplace safety resources summarise that PCBUs have primary duties to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and others, which applies to employees engaged in event and market operations. WorkSafe Queensland F. SAFETY + WEATHER REQUIREMENTS 1. Public Land Event safety frameworks The Queensland Government “Best practice guidelines for event delivery in Queensland” provide guidance for event organisers on planning and delivering safe events, including public health directions, crowd management, traffic and parking, weather and environmental factors, and coordination with local councils. Queensland Government+2Queensland Government+2 The Event Management Planning Guide (alcohol, safety and event management) for Queensland outlines how an event management plan can assist in conducting safe events, including movement, alcohol safety and reducing incidents. Publications Queensland Government+1 Weather and environmental considerations The Queensland best practice guidelines note that event organisers must understand and adhere to public health directions and be prepared to adapt to changes in gathering or movement restrictions or changes resulting from severe weather. Queensland Government+1 Local government event toolkits, such as the City of Gold Coast’s Events Toolkit, include fact sheets on planning outdoor events at council sites, including waste management and provision of toilet facilities, which are affected by crowd size and environmental conditions. City of Gold Coast+1 2. Private Land The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) applies to workplaces on private land and sets out obligations for PCBUs to manage risks to workers and other persons, including risks arising from weather, crowds, equipment, structures and other event-related activities. WorkSafe Queensland Event management planning resources published by Queensland Government and Queensland Health apply generally to events in the state and include considerations relevant to events held on private venues as well as public land. Queensland Government+2Publications Queensland Government+2 REFERENCE LIBRARY — QUEENSLAND (OFFICIAL LINKS) General event safety and planning (QLD) Best practice guidelines for event delivery in Queensland (PDF) https://www.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0027/453375/events-in-queensland-best-practice-guidelines-v1.7.pdf Queensland Government Best practice guidelines for event delivery in Queensland – earlier PDF version https://www.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0032/94595/events-in-queensland-best-practice-guidelines.pdf Queensland Government Event Management Plan – Alcohol Safety and Event Management (Queensland) https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/bcf03d20-ff59-4678-bdc7-2adfce2ee520/resource/83339b0f-bd15-4d4a-847b-6784f15603fb/download/event-management-planning-guide.pdf Publications Queensland Government+1 Non-profit fundraising events: alcohol, safety and event management (planning guide) https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/fc2f9cdd-8799-45bf-977b-0f157ee75024/resource/c4034e5e-5364-49b3-ac6f-739d669cb605/download/nfp-events-guide.pdf Publications Queensland Government Arts Queensland – Simple Approach to Creating an Event in Queensland (DOCX) https://artsengage.initiatives.qld.gov.au/images/documents/artsqld/Arts%20Acumen/Simple-Approach-to-Creating-an-Event-in-Queensland.docx artsengage.initiatives.qld.gov.au Gold Coast City Council – Events Toolkit https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Invest-do-business/Events-management/Events-toolkit City of Gold Coast Brisbane City Council – Event Customer Guide (PDF) https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/content/dam/brisbanecitycouncil/corpwebsite/laws-and-permits-/documents/event-customer-guide.pdf.coredownload.pdf Brisbane City Council Brisbane City Council – Assessable Events Rule (PDF) https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/content/dam/brisbanecitycouncil/corpwebsite/laws-and-permits-/documents/assessable-events-rule.pdf.coredownload.pdf Brisbane City Council Food business, markets and temporary stalls (QLD) 9. Queensland Health – Do I need a food business licence? https://www.qld.gov.au/health/staying-healthy/food-pantry/starting-a-food-business/food-business-licences/do-i-need-a-food-business-licence Queensland Government Brisbane City Council – Running a food business https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/laws-and-permits/food-business-licences/running-a-food-business Brisbane City Council+1 Food Standards Australia New Zealand – Temporary food premises https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/business/food-safety/temporary-food-premises Food Standards Australia New Zealand Sunshine Coast Council – Market stalls and temporary food business licence https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/business/supporting-your-business/permits-and-licences/food-business/temporary Sunshine Coast Council+1 City of Gold Coast – Food business – fixed, mobile & temporary premises https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Services/Report-pay-apply/Permits-licensing/Food-business-fixed-mobile-temporary-premises City of Gold Coast+1 Logan City Council – Apply for a temporary food stall licence https://www.logan.qld.gov.au/business-and-investment/licensing/temporary-food-stall/apply Logan City Council+1 Cairns Regional Council – Temporary food premises https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/property-and-business/business/regulations-permits/food/temp-food cairns.qld.gov.au South Burnett Regional Council – Market food stall https://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/Business/Regulations/Food-licensing/Starting-a-new-food-business/Market-food-stall southburnett.qld.gov.au Longreach Regional Council – Food Business Licensing and Safety https://www.longreach.qld.gov.au/Live-and-Work/Environmental-Health/Food-Business-Licencing longreach.qld.gov.au Central Highlands Regional Council – Food Business Licensing and Safety FAQs (PDF) https://chrc.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Food-Business-Licensing-and-Safety-FAQs-Fact-Sheet-1-1.pdf Central Highlands Regional Council+1 Cook Shire Council – Guidelines for Food Businesses at Events (PDF) https://www.cook.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Template-Guidelines-for-Food-Businesses-at-Events.pdf Cook Shire Council Insurance and example council requirements (QLD) 20. Queensland Government – Determining insurance requirements in procurement (PDF) https://www.forgov.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0026/182384/determining-insurance-requirements-in-procurement.pdf ForGov Mackay Regional Council – Public Liability Insurance Factsheet for grant applicants (PDF) https://www.mackay.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/359593/Public_Liability_Insurance_Factsheet_for_grant_applicants.pdf Mackay Regional Council Douglas Shire Council – Public Liability Insurance for Facilities Hire and Prescribed Activity Approvals (Policy – PDF) https://douglas.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Public-Liability-Insurance-for-Facilities-Hire-and-Prescribed-Activity-Approvals-Policy.pdf Douglas Shire Council Maranoa Regional Council – Standard Requirements for Public Liability Insurance for Approval Holders (PDF) https://websync.msc.qld.gov.au/corporate_documents/files/679/Standard%20Requirements%20for%20Public%20Liability%20Insurance%20for%20Approval%20Holders.pdf websync.msc.qld.gov.au Traffic and road events (QLD) 24. Department of Transport and Main Roads – Traffic management at special events https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Community-and-environment/Planning-and-development/Other-matters-requiring-approval/Traffic-management-at-special-events Department of Transport and Main Roads Department of Transport and Main Roads – Special event traffic management process (flow chart PDF) https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/-/media/busind/techstdpubs/Traffic-management/ETM_Flowchart.pdf Department of Transport and Main Roads Department of Transport and Main Roads – Traffic control permit https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/business-industry/technical-standards-publications/traffic-control-permit Department of Transport and Main Roads Department of Transport and Main Roads – Other matters requiring approval (road corridor permits) https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/community-and-environment/planning-and-development/other-matters-requiring-approval Department of Transport and Main Roads Transport Infrastructure (State-controlled Roads) Regulation 2017 (current consolidation) https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/whole/html/2025-09-15/sl-2017-0169 Queensland Legislation Volunteers and work health and safety (QLD) 29. WorkSafe Queensland – Work health and safety laws https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/laws-and-compliance/work-health-and-safety-laws WorkSafe Queensland WorkSafe Queensland – Non-profit organisations and volunteers https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/laws-and-compliance/work-health-and-safety-laws/specific-obligations/non-profit-organisations-and-volunteers WorkSafe Queensland Queensland Government – Volunteering https://www.qld.gov.au/community/community-organisations-volunteering/volunteering Queensland Government Asbestos safety – Businesses and volunteers (WHS and volunteers as workers) https://www.asbestos.qld.gov.au/practical-guidance/volunteers/businesses-and-volunteers asbestos.qld.gov.au Asbestos safety – Is my volunteer association a PCBU? https://www.asbestos.qld.gov.au/practical-guidance/volunteers/my-volunteer-association-pcbu asbestos.qld.gov.au Volunteering Queensland – Code of Practice https://volunteeringqld.org.au/resources/code-of-practice/ Volunteering Queensland Safe Work Australia – WHS duties for volunteers https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/safety-topic/managing-health-and-safety/volunteers/whs-duties Safe Work Australia