Busking in Ballarat

What Is BuskingTop of document.

Busking is the practice of providing entertainment by performing in public places, for donations.

Types of busking may include :

• Performing with an instrument or instruments
• Performance of a dance routine and/or a song
• Juggling, clowning, magic or living statue
• Actively working in an artistic medium

The activities below are NOT considered busking :

• Vendors of any kind – including flowers, jewellery, food and other merchandise
• Touting or spruiking
• Political rallying
• Religious spruiking
• Face or body painting
• Fundraising events or promotions, even if they have an element of performance
• Begging – begging is illegal and enforcement is the responsibility of Victoria Police

Busking permits will not be issued to companies, clubs, individual or businesses wishing to promote their services or products.

Apply For A Busking PermitTop of document.

Please contact Council’s customer service team, located within the Phoenix Building,
25 Armstrong Street South to complete a busking application.

• An application fee of $5 will apply for all permit applications.
• Permits are valid for 6 months from date of issue.
  
  
• alternatively Apply For a Busking Permit Online via eServices 

Guidelines and ConditionsTop of document.

Download the Ballarat Busking Guidelines

Age Restrictions

Performers should be over the age of 16, those wishing to obtain a permit under the age of 16 will require parent/guardian consent prior to the issuing of a permit.

Animals

The use of non-domesticated animals will not be permitted as part of a busking performance. 
Buskers who use animals as part of their act;
• Need to ensure that the act complies with RSPCA guidelines for the use of animals in entertainment
• Must comply with the Domestic Animals Act 1994
• Must provide a clean, comfortable and safe environment for the animal while performing
• Must not put themselves, the animal or any member of the public in danger at any time
• Will wholly be responsible for addressing any allegations of cruelty or misconduct directed against them

Group Acts

Group acts are generally limited to four (4) performers with larger groups assessed on a case by case basis. The same busking conditions apply to both individual, duo and group acts.

Public Liability

Buskers are wholly responsible for all claims made against them for personal injury or property damage. Buskers are not covered under the City of Ballarat’s public liability insurance policy and are encouraged to hold their own public liability insurance.

Safety
Buskers are to ensure that neither themselves nor their audience, pedestrians or the general public are put at risk at any time during their performance.

Pedestrian Access

Buskers are responsible for maintaining pedestrian flow and public amenity at all times.
Performers should ensure that they or their audience do not block shop doorways during business hours, dining areas and cafes, bus stops, fire escapes, roads and residential doorways. Wheelchair access around the site must remain at all times. Buskers must not perform within five (5) metres of a road intersection including any pedestrian crossing or traffic lights.

Cleanliness

Buskers must keep the site in use clean while they are working, ensure that their use of the site does not pose a threat to public safety and that the busking site is left in the condition that it was found.

Management of Sound Generated by Busking

Sound from busking in the public realm has the potential to disrupt business trading, affect workplace performance and detract from public amenity. Even though on street sound from busking contributes to the vibrancy of the city, it can be the cause of great discomfort for others when it is excessive.

Designated Sound Levels

Busking activity in the City of Ballarat should operate at a level so that the sound:

• Is not intrusive above background levels to the degree that a passer-by would have to strain their voice to be heard above the sound
• Is not readily audible over other background noise when a person is more than two standard building frontages from the source of the sound
• The sound from a busking performance shall at no time disrupt business trading including retail and dining establishments, affect workplace performance or detract from public amenity.

Performance Times

Buskers should only perform for a maximum of two (2) hours per day at each location. Buskers are encouraged to take breaks. Upon completion of the two (2) hour maximum for that location the busker must move to another location (at least four (4) building frontages away) and not return to that location again that day.