Commercial activities on Council land

To apply for a permit to carry out the above commercial activities on Council land, you must do the following:

• Complete and submit the relevant application form. Forms are available as downloadable PDFs or online forms. See the list of commercial activity forms below.
• Provide the required supporting documentation, which typically includes the following:
  • Certificate of currency for Public Liability Insurance which must be held in the name of the applicant, be for no less than $20 million and must note the Cairns Regional Council as an interested party;
  • Site plan of the area you are applying to use. (See the general information below about what this should include).
  • A copy of any other approval relating to the use of the Council land or road, eg food licence or a park booking.
  • Other supporting documents as outlined on the relevant application form which will vary depending on the activity you are applying for.
• Pay the application fee and other applicable fees in accordance with the  instructions received by Council.

Council may contact you for further information about your application; you must provide this within the specified timeframe. If your application is approved, you will receive a permit and, if applicable, instructions to pay other fees such as rental fees. Your permit is not valid until all relevant fees are paid.

A site plan is required to be submitted for most permit applications; the requirements will vary depending on the activity being applied for. A site plan must include the following:

• overall boundary of the area including measurements
• outline of any adjoining buildings
• location of all furniture, structures, vehicles, advertising devices and other items intended to be placed within the area
• proposed entry and exit points to the area for any vehicle, vessel or aircraft
• proposed take-off or landing area within the area (for applications relating to aircrafts)
• location of any permanent infrastructure within the Council area or road or immediately adjoining it, including but not limited to trees, fire hydrants, parking meters, transformers, telephone booths, mailboxes, bus shelters, rubbish bins, pillars and posts (awning or building supports) and any other permanent items.

View a generalised example site plan ( PDF, 1.16 MB ).

Application fee

An application fee is payable when you lodge your permit application form. The application fee will vary depending on the activity being applied for.

Rental fees

Some permit types have rental fees applicable dependent on the type of permit and the location of the area being applied for. If applicable, rental fees are calculated annually.

Renewal fee

If you wish to renew a permit once the term of the permit is nearing the expiry date, a renewal fee is payable when you make an application to renew the permit.

When a permit is nearing the expiry date, the permit holder is required to apply to renew the permit if they intend to continue use of the area for that purpose. Where applicable, Council will issue renewal request forms to existing permit holders.

If you intend to renew your permit, you must:

• Return the fully completed renewal request form
• Return a copy of a current certificate of currency for Public Liability Insurance for a minimum value of $20 million noting Cairns Regional Council as an interested party
• Pay the renewal fee in accordance with any instructions provided
• Pay any rental fees in accordance with any instructions provided.

If you fail to complete the above steps to renew your permit within the timeframes, you are not permitted to continue to use the Council area or road. Fines may apply if you continue using the Council area or road without a valid permit in place.

Please be advised that some permit types are not able to be transferred. If you sell your business during the term of a permit, the new owner will be required to apply for a new permit.