Contact Ararat Rural City Council early if your production involves road or footpath impacts, drones, large equipment, special effects, night filming, public-space disruption or multiple locations. Early discussion helps us identify requirements, coordinate referrals and keep your production moving.

Contact Phillippa or Chandra at Council on (03) 5355 0200 or via [email protected] for a conversation. Our past experience has shown us that tailored options are often best, and we're here to work with you. 

To help us process your filming permit quickly, please include the following information and documents with your application.

• Production company name, ABN, postal address and primary contact details.
• Production manager and location manager contact details, including a mobile number for the location manager on shoot days.
• Production title and type — for example, feature film, television series, television commercial, music video, commercial stills photography or other production.
• Exact filming location/s, including street addresses, reserve names or Council facility names. For multiple locations, please attach a location schedule.
• Proposed filming dates and operating times, including bump-in, filming, meal breaks and bump-out where relevant.
• A brief description of the scenes and activities proposed at each location.
• Expected number of cast, crew, vehicles and essential parking spaces.
• A site map showing the filming footprint, unit base, crew parking, technical vehicles, generators, equipment, pedestrian routes and any proposed traffic controls.
• Your certificate of currency for public liability insurance.
• Written permission from the owner or manager where filming is proposed on private property or a venue not managed by Council.
• A signed application confirming the production company will indemnify Ararat Rural City Council and comply with applicable laws, permit conditions and safety requirements.

Some activities need additional assessment or approvals. Flag these early and provide the relevant plans or supporting documents so we can coordinate requirements with the appropriate authorities.

• Traffic, road or footpath impacts - including lane or road closures, parking restrictions, pedestrian detours, traffic controllers or filming near roads. Provide a traffic and pedestrian management plan.
• Crew, cast or equipment on a roadway, road reserve or footpath.
• Parking for trucks, trailers, generators, cranes, camera vehicles or large crew vehicles.
• Drones or other remotely piloted aircraft - include flight locations, proposed operating times and evidence of required aviation approvals. Note: the Ararat Hospital has a helipad and some additional airspace restrictions will apply. 
• Lighting towers, large lighting rigs, generators, temporary structures, marquees, cables or equipment that may affect public access, roads, reserves or nearby properties.
• Early-morning, evening or overnight activity; amplified sound; simulated noise; special effects; smoke, haze, pyrotechnics, fireworks, firearms, replica weapons, stunts or animals.
• Waterways, lakes, bushland, environmentally sensitive areas or sites with heritage significance.
• Requests to film in Council buildings, sporting grounds, parks, reserves, town centres or other Council-managed land.
• Any activity likely to affect residents, businesses, visitors, public transport, emergency access or normal use of a public space.

For example, a Lake Bolac permit required a crew member in high-visibility clothing to monitor traffic and alert drivers to filming activity near road areas.

Please submit a complete application as early as possible. The more detail you provide at the outset, the faster we can assess your request, identify any additional approvals and confirm appropriate permit conditions.

Before lodging, please ensure:

• Locations, dates and times are final or clearly marked as provisional.
• Maps are legible and show all relevant operational areas.
• Supporting safety and traffic documentation matches the proposed filming activity.
• You identify any potential impacts on neighbours, businesses, events, road users or public access.
• You provide one nominated contact who can respond promptly to Council questions and coordinate any required changes.
• You advise Council immediately if there are changes to locations, dates, times, crew numbers, parking arrangements or filming activities.

If approved, the permit applies only to the locations, dates, times and activities listed in the permit and any attached documents. Productions must obtain all other required consents and approvals, comply with applicable legislation and local laws, and follow Council’s filming policy, guidelines and any special conditions.

The permit holder must keep a copy of the permit on site and produce it to an authorised Council officer on request. Council may have a representative present during filming.