Use of a State road for a public event

Traffic control at work sites may be required to maintain a safe workplace for workers and to safely guide road users through work sites.

More information can be found on the Tasmanian Guide - Traffic Control for Works on Roads webpage.

More information about organising community events on the State road network can be found at Temporary signs for advertising community events.

There are time restrictions on planned works on State roads major commuting routes, to help make sure traffic at peak times isn’t impacted by roadworks.

More information can be found on the restrictions on major commuting routes webpage.

To ensure that public transport operates reliably and safely on our road network and our bus customers are aware of any changes, you must address any potential public transport disruptions in your permit application.

For more information on your responsibilities see Permit applications - impacts on public transport.

We support the use of State roads for cycling, walking and running events if they can show that they will operate safely, and without significant interference with the normal road use.

Do I need a permit?

Your event will need a permit if any of the following criteria apply.

• Your event is a race.
• Your event involves 30 or more participants.
• Your event is organised or intended for the purpose of raising money for or awareness of a charity or other cause.
• Participation is open to the general public.
• It is a pedestrian event and pedestrians will be travelling, not on a footpath or shared path, in the same direction as traffic passing within three metres, where the speed limit is 80 km/h or higher.
• You will be using a support or shadow vehicles which will be travelling in a traffic lane more than 20 km/h below the speed limit.
• Your event requires road closure and/or the use of traffic management and traffic control devices.
• Your event involves more than four people and will be conducted on a winding two lane road where one metre sealed shoulders are not provided.

Complying with the Road Rules

It is more than likely the event will not significantly interfere with normal road use if all participants follow the Australian Road Rules 2009.

It’s important for event organisers to be familiar with the relevant rules before applying for a permit, as they provide useful information for completing the relevant documents to support the application.

• For a pedestrian event: rules for pedestrians (rules 228-239), especially rule 238 (pedestrians on a road or road shoulder)
• For a cycling event: riding alongside another rule (151) and additional rules for bicycle riders (Part 15)

Application documents

You will need to provide the following documents with your application.

• Risk management plan: The process is to make sure the event can operate safely by identifying risks, assessing the risks and developing strategies or mitigations to reduce the likelihood of incidents. The plan must include the original risk, the proposed strategy or mitigations and residual risk.
• Operational plan: This should lay out in detail who, what, when and how the event will be conducted, be inclusive of expected behaviour by participants, and have strategies to deal with expected and unexpected happenings.
• Traffic management plan (TMP): This must be developed to reduce risks and conflicts between road users, in accordance with Australian Standards AS1742.Part 3 Traffic Control at Road Works, and the Department’s Traffic Control at Work Sites guidelines in respect to training and qualifications for people preparing the TMP and implementing traffic controls.

Route map and State road statement: Detailed map of the proposed route and a statement of why the State road network is being used, instead of off-road facilities and the local road network.

Before starting the online application all necessary documents must be available for uploading.

• If your event involves an assembly area, you will need to provide a plan that indicates the distance of the proposed assembly area to the road.
• If your proposed event impacts on traffic flow, a Traffic Management Guidance Scheme will be required.

Applications must be received by the Department at least 20 business days before the expected start date for your event, to allow enough time to assess your application.

No event can occur on a State road without written authorisation. Approval is granted in accordance with the provisions of the Roads and Jetties Act 1935.

• If you are organising a cycling, walking, or running event, you can find information about how to apply for a permit here:  Cycling, running and walking events.
• If your event requires full or partial closure of a road, you will need to obtain approval from Tasmania Police.
• If you are planning a public event you will need a Place of Assembly licence under the Public Health Act 1997. You will need to apply to the relevant Council.

Before applying you should make sure you have:

• made sure you’ve allowed access for vehicles, pedestrians, public transport and emergency services
• provided adequate parking
• planned to advertise your event, particularly if it involves road closures or traffic diversions
• checked if time restrictions apply if your event is on a major commuting route
• consulted with affected stakeholders.

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