Street Parties & Fêtes

About this pattern

Annual fêtes or fairs can be fund-raising activities for any community that help to foster stronger community identity and pride in achievements. 

Street parties and fêtes are ways to get to know neighbours and build strong communities. They can be important ways to celebrate together. Most Councils support neighbourhood gatherings as they foster community spirit and good neighbour relations. A successful street party could be as small and intimate as a few chairs in a front yard, up to a BBQ in the local park, or a party in a local street.

Temporary Structures

If a tent, marquee or stall is erected, it requires local government approval either as a public building under the Health Act or as a temporary building under Building Regulations. Local government may waive this requirement for low risk structures. As a general rule if the public are within or on the facility it should have local government approval.

Temporary structures such as merchandise stalls, seating, food stalls and so on must be erected and secured in accordance with the manufacturers specifications to ensure they are structurally sound and can withstand likely wind in the locality.

Sustainability Considerations

Some Councils have sustainability strategies and rules whereby events need to reduce the use of plastic packaging and plastic cutlery and crockery for the service of food, and to encourage recycling by stall operators and patrons. The City of Sydney has a no balloons policy in all of its parks and open spaces. Balloons are not be permitted for any events.

General Considerations

• For residents/neighbours only; should be self-organised;
• No licence normally necessary if music is incidental and no alcohol is sold;
• Closure of residential roads only; apply for road closure at least 6 weeks before the event.
• Public liability insurance optional but advisable/sensible; organisers must accept responsibility for possible claims if public liability insurance is not in place.
• If not formal risk assessment is in place, protocols for managing health or other emergencies are planned in advance.
• Considerations for night parties include ensuring appropriate visibility and notifying neighbours.

Event Clear Up; provide suitable waste receptacles and make arrangements for litter picking and waste removal after the event.

Pattern Conditions

Enablers:

• Local Governments support street parties in principle because they enhance social cohesion and contribute to a greater sense of trust and safety, and better health and well-being in the community.

Constraints:

• Mobile Food Facilities (MFF): For safety purposes, operators of MFFs are required to secure a health permit prior to operating.  MFFs are usually restricted to Pushcart/Ice Cream Cart distributing pre-packaged non-potentially hazardous foods only; no food preparation is permitted; For a Hot Dog Cart limited food preparation is permissible but no complex food preparation; For a Food Truck full service and food preparation is allowed within the enclosed vehicle. No food preparation is allowed outside the food truck (except for an outdoor barbeque).
• Risk assessments should consider: Slipping, tripping or falling hazards (e.g. loose carpets, unsecured cables); any vehicles driving onto site; electrical safety (e.g. use of any portable electrical appliances); poor lighting, heating or ventilation; storing and serving food (e.g. chilled items being left out of the fridge for too long); and any other hazards you may find.
• A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement – the person responsible for the event must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks.
• Noise Control at Small Outdoor Events: Inform all affected people of the following

1. The event (offer free tickets or invite people along);
2. Start and finish times;
3. The Complaint Hotline number if they want to make a complaint.

Commoning Concerns

Common spaces can be used for temporary events, particularly if they offer cooler temperatures than surrounding areas and if they are used by, and are accessible to, a community of commoners who, to some degree, care for, take responsibility for, and benefit from this coolness.

Access: Varies; outdoor markets have access for all; parties and fund-raisers by invitation.

Use: Recreation, fund-raising.

Benefit: Community engagement, strengthening the use of common space.

Care: Event organisers and community.

Responsibility: Event organisers and community.

Ownership: Body Corporate, community.

A commoning concern will be negotiating road use: ensuring adequate notice of road closure and legible signage to alert drivers. Another is ensuring dogs are leashed to ensure safety.