Filming and photography

Filming and photography rules

If you are considering the North Sydney Council area as a site for a film production or still photography, there are some requirements that need to be met, and you must apply to North Sydney Council for permission.

Compliance

It is expected that applicants are familiar and comply with the following guidelines:

• Filming in the Council Area Policy
• Filming and Photography - code of conduct

North Sydney Council may take action due to failure to comply with requirements or if there are reasonable complaints regarding your filming activities.

Filming on privately owned land

Council approval is not required for filming on private land. However, filmmakers must notify Council even when filming is entirely contained within private land.

Apply for a Filming and Photography Permit

The impact of filming or still photography will determine what is required from the applicant, but all applications to film must include:

• a complete permit application form
• Certificate of Currency
  • policies must be in $AUD
  • public liability must be for no less than $20 million
• payment
• written police approval is required for the following activities:
  • when application includes a traffic management plan
  • when it includes a group of 100 people or more
  • when it involves activities such as simulated robbery/assault, firearms, police in uniform or police vehicles

Applications must be submitted no later than three working days prior to filming.

It is best to submit an application as early as possible so we can advise of any further requirements. Additional lead time will be required if the application involves the closure of a road.

To submit an application:

1. please read the terms and conditions
2. complete the Filming and Photography Permit application form
3. return the permit application form and any other required documents to Council's Bookings Team via email: bookings@northsydney.nsw.gov.au.

Note: depending on the nature and impact of your application, the following may also be required: 

• community notification
• parking changes, road closures, access and traffic control measures.

Council will advise of any further requirements upon receipt of your application.

Application fees

An application fee based on the four application categories (below) may apply.

Ultra-low scale productions: $0

• no more than 10 people at the location
• drone not permitted
• no disruption is caused to the Council's stakeholders, retailers or motorists or other events in the vicinity of the activities
• activities are contained to footways or public open space areas only
• public safety is maintained at the location at all times during the conduct of the activities
• vehicles associated with the conduct of the activities are legally parked at all times and are not driven onto footways, parks or plaza areas
• excludes Wendy Whiteley's Garden.

Low-scale productions: $150

• 11-25 people at the location
• drone Permitted
• no more than four vehicles
• no construction
• minimal equipment and lighting
• small or no unit base required
• one or two locations only.

Medium-scale productions: $300

• 26-50 people at the location
• drone Permitted
• no more than 10 vehicles
• some construction
• equipment used eg. dolly, trucks, medium-sized cranes, jibs
• unit base required
• no more than four locations.

High-scale productions: $500

• more than 50 people at the location
• drone Permitted
• more than 10 vehicles
• significant construction
• extensive equipment
• large unit base required
• greater than four locations.

Additional fees

Additional fees are charged on a cost recovery basis, please refer to the Film and Photography permit for a list of fees.

Council will advise of any additional fees on the application.

Bonds

In some instances, Council will impose a bond. The amount of the security bond is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Council will advise on the application.

Payment methods

Full payment must be made prior to filming commencing. A tax invoice will be issued on receipt of payment.

Payment options include:

• Cheque
• Cash (in person only)
• Credit Card Authority form

Council charges a 1.5% service fee, inclusive of GST on transactions using Visa & MasterCard (credit, debit and prepaid).

Cancellations or amendments

A wet weather option can be nominated with your booking.

The date is transferable in the event of wet weather at no extra cost. If it rains on the day, applicants are required to contact Council by telephone and in writing before the commencement time to advise.

In the event of wet weather, you can elect to:

1. transfer to an alternative date, or
2. receive a refund (excludes application fee).

If you film on an alternative day, you are required to letter drop the residents or stakeholders that may be affected by the change.

Filming cancellation

Requests are to be made in writing. Application fees are non-refundable.

Filming amendment

Any changes need to be discussed with Council's Bookings Officer and may be subject to additional approvals. An amendment fee will apply if the change affects a previously issued permit. Cost is 75% of the application fee. This excludes requests for alternative days due to wet weather.

Notify the community

Residents and stakeholders must be advised by letterbox drop (and door knocking) if there is any possibility that the amenity of the neighbourhood will be affected.

For example, use of parking spaces, noise, large amounts of equipment and high numbers of production crew present when businesses and residents are active in the vicinity.

Sample Resident Notification Letter

Residents and stakeholders do not need to be notified if your production meets the following conditions:

• Production is on a small scale and will be produced with a small crew.
• There will be no loss of parking for residents and stakeholders.
• The filming will be in a low-density area where there are no active businesses and residents in the vicinity.

In all other instances you must notify residents and stakeholders.

• A letterbox drop must be implemented as soon as the production has confirmed the location. A minimum of three working days is required.
• If you have not confirmed the exact details within four working days prior to the commencement of filming, notification must still be undertaken advising of tentative arrangements. Once the exact arrangements are confirmed, a second round of notification will then be required.
• If you have already notified residents and stakeholders about arrangements for filming and your arrangements change then you must undertake additional notification about the changes to affected residents.
• Council will not issue a permit unless you can provide evidence that the notification letter has been completed. Your evidence must include a copy of the letter, and a summary of the distribution you have undertaken.

Your notification must include:

• on-site mobile number
• description of filming
• proposed location for filming
• commencement and completion dates
• expected length of filming each day
• number of people expected at the location
• details of any structures you intend to erect
• types of equipment you will be using
• parking arrangements
• whether there will be disruption to the location or surrounding area
• any noise, vibrations, release of smells, use of lighting or special effects.

Resident concerns about a production

Any residents or stakeholders with concerns regarding a production company's activity should inform the company representative who is listed on the notification.

It is our experience that most production companies try to cause as little upheaval as possible for residents. However, you are certainly encouraged to notify Council before filming occurs of any concerns you may have. 

The recommended procedure for dealing with concerns about a production is to:

• make contact with the location staff working on the site and explain the situation
• review the notification received from the production company and phone the number supplied on the letter to discuss
• make contact with the production crew directly to raise your particular concerns.

If resolution cannot be made directly with the production company, call North Sydney Council for advice, and if appropriate we will take action.