Filming and photography

Council encourages filming and photography in the Inner West Council area.

We have a diverse range of locations: explore our venues and parks.

You must apply for a permit if you are planning to film or take still photographs on or affecting Council-owned property, in open spaces and outdoor spaces such as footpaths, roads and parks within the Inner West Council area.

Filming and photography permits are issued under Section 138 of the Roads Act 1993 and Section 115 of the Local Government Act 1993.

Applications are assessed under the Local Government Filming Protocol.

In accordance with the Protocol, it is expected that Council, local police, neighbouring residents and businesses will be notified of all proposed filming, even when only filming on private property.

Applications need to be lodged a minimum of 7 working days before the proposed filming date. Additional fees will apply for late lodgement.

How to apply for your permit

Once you've completed the application form and collected all mandatory supporting documents, you use our online self-service website to lodge the application.

Step 1

Please see the following guide for assistance on the registration process

How to Register on the Council self-service portal (PDF 265.9KB)

Step 2

Log into your account and apply for your permit.

Please see the following guide to assist you:

Steps to complete a filming and photography permit (PDF 463.5KB)

Steps to complete a filming and photography permit (DOCX 1.2MB)

Please note: if you cannot find the address of the location, please select a nearby address and specify the exact location within the application form.

After you apply for you permit, once Council receives your application, the required documents and payment (if applicable), your application will be processed.

Go to online self-service

Fees and charges

Most of the application fees are structured in accordance with the Local Government Filming Protocol 2009, which includes maximum charges and depends on the likely impact of the activity on traffic and parking.

Student films and not-for-profit organisations do not normally incur any fees.

The following are the charges where applicable:

Filming classifications

Category	Fee
Ultra-low impact: No more than 10 crew, no disruptions caused to council stake holders, vehicles associated with activity are legally parked at all times	Nil
Low impact: 11-25 crew, no more then 4 trucks/vans, minimal equipment/lighting small or no base unit required	$150.00
Medium impact: 26-50 crew, no more than 10 trucks/vans, significant construction, extensive equipment large unit base required	$300.00
High impact: 10 trucks/vans, significant construction, extensive equipment large unit base required.	$500.00

Traffic management assessment

Category	Fee
Not required	Nil
Low: Stop/go traffic control on a local or Council-managed road and written police acknowledgement is required	$150.00
Medium: Stop/go traffic control on a multi-lane or state road. Police and Transport for NSW acknowledgement required. Note: State roads are managed by Transport for NSW	$300.00
High: Road closure as per temporary road closure fees – a separate application for a road closure form is required	Price on application

Parking essential vehicles/unit base and road occupation charges

Category	Fee
Barricading of parking spaces in an unrestricted area
Parking essential vehicles, road occupation for filming or unit base plans	$150.00
Barricading within restricted parking area (in addition to above $150 fee)
Parking essential vehicles, road occupation for filming or unit base plans	$138.00
Six (6) or less parking spaces – minimum charge of $124.00 More than 6 parking spaces – $24.84/space/day* *Calculation for rate per car space – $13.80 × 12.6m² (car parking space area) divided by 7 days – daily rate of $24.84	$24.84/space/day
Barricading in a metered parking area (in addition to above $150 fee)
Fee for suspension of parking meters	$66.60/bay/day

Additional fees and charges – Urgent applications

Category	Fee
Application is submitted with less than 5 business days' notification	$311.90
Application is submitted with less than 24 hours' notification	$395.70
Unit base fee for catering in park – per application	$55.70
Site Inspection for high impact filming – per inspection	$196.40

Council's adopted Fees and Charges can be found in the current fees and charges page.

Questions you will need to answer during online lodgement

You will need to provide the following information in support of your application:

Address of the property
Details of the activity, e.g. location and summary of work or activity
Details of the proposed filming – start/finish dates and operating hours
Backup/wet weather alternative dates
Expiry dates of public liability insurance cover
Specify filming classification, traffic management assessment, parking plan or unit-based plan
If this is an urgent application, a
Applicant details

Application form

You will need to complete the following application form:

Filming and Photography application form (PDF 387.9KB)

Filming and Photography application form (DOCX 57.7KB)

Mandatory supporting documents

Have the following documents ready before starting the online application as they will need to be uploaded with the application during lodgement.

If they are not provided, the assessment will be delayed and may be refused.

Application form – a signed copy of the application form
Public liability insurance certificate of currency – required for every application (see details above)

The following information must be provided when applicable or when requested:

Scope of works/site plan
Traffic management plan
A traffic control plan (prepared by a Transport for NSW-accredited person) in compliance with Transport for NSW Traffic Control at Work Sites Manual Guidelines – AS1742.3 and Work Cover NSW regulations
Parking plan
Pedestrian plan
List of essential vehicle registrations
Authorised safety report
A draft notification letter(s) for distribution by the applicant to residents in the affected area, for approval by Council

If you are on or near a state road or traffic light

If the works are to be carried out on or near a state-classified road or traffic lights, you will have to demonstrate that you have obtained written consent from Transport for NSW.

For the list of the state-classified roads within the Inner West Council can be viewed at the roads page

Terms and conditions

You will need to sign the applicant's declaration on the application form to accept the terms and conditions listed on the form. The Terms and conditions may be found on the form, or can be reviewed form the following page.

Online terms and conditions