Festival and event registration update

From 1 January 2026, Yarra Ranges Council is introducing:

  • a simplified notification process for small, no-impact events
  • registration fees for all events requiring formal assessment (exemptions apply for Yarra Ranges Council grant-funded events).

These changes help streamline approvals and ensure fair support for events of all sizes. Learn more what’s changing before you plan your festival or event.

Event notification process

A simplified process for no-impact events. If your event involves no infrastructure and causes no impact to Council-managed land or services, you will be able to notify Council instead of completing a full registration. This helps us maintain visibility of what’s happening across the municipality – and alert you to relevant information - even when formal approvals aren’t required.

Event registration fees and charges

All events that require registration will now be subject to a fee, based on the scale and impact of the event. Learn more about the new fees and charges at Planning a festival or event.

New resources

Council will be releasing updated templates, planning tools and guidance materials to support event organisers.

We are designing these resources to make the process clearer and more accessible. We want to help you cut through jargon, understand what's required and ensure you feel confident when preparing your event documentation.

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