FAQ

‘Busking’ and ‘Street Performing’ can mean performing music, dance, street theatre or art in a public space for the purpose of receiving contributions from members of the public. Buskers are not paid or hired directly for their performance but rely on passers-by appreciating their work and choosing to make a monetary contribution to the performer.

City of Darwin encourages creativity and innovation in busking and street performing. Some ideas for busking are human statues, poetry recitation, juggling, magic tricks, and chalk art. A photograph will be taken by a Council Officer for identification purposes to be displayed on approved permits

You will need to apply for approval from City of Darwin to busk. Busking permits are issued subject to you agreeing to uphold the permit guidelines. Busking and street performing permits are issued at the Civic Centre on Harry Chan Avenue during business hours. When applying for approval you will need to provide:

• a completed application form
• proof of identity
• fee payment

If you are approved to busk you will be issued a permit that must remain on display in a prominent position close to where you are performing at all times. A photograph will be taken by a Council Officer for identification purposes to be displayed on approved permits.

Busking and street performing permits are issued by the City of Darwin Customer Service Team for a fee, in accordance with City of Darwin’s Fees and Charges.

The charges are:

• One Week Permit: $5
• Four Month Permit: $20
• One Year Permit: $30

Permits are valid for the approved dates as written on your permit. You can busk on these days from 9.00am - 10.00pm Sunday to Thursday and 9.00am - 12.00am (midnight) Friday and Saturday.

Busking is permitted in all council owned public spaces and commercial areas including malls, footpaths and parks throughout Darwin. However, Buskers are not permitted to perform on or in the immediate area surrounding any war memorial including the Cenotaph in Bicentennial Park.Buskers can perform in permitted areas provided they adhere to the City's busking guidelines as outlined on the Permit Application Form.

City of Darwin will issue a maximum of 100 permits at any given time. These permits are divided as follows:

• 20 x One Week Permits
• 30 x Four Month Permits
• 50 x One Year Permits

We all share the streets and public spaces of Darwin and people often have different ideas about how space should and can be used. Between all the people that live, work, recreate and trade in the city there is the potential for conflict but any potential challenges can usually be dealt with if buskers, local businesses, council rangers and members of the public communicate constructively and take actions to compromise and cooperate. We know that most complaints about busking apply to a small number of performers and usually relate to noise levels, repetitive performances or obstruction. City of Darwin’s busking guidelines aim to reduce the potential for conflict and support a community culture where creativity on the street is enjoyable and celebrated broadly through encouraging mutual consideration and respect.

To support creative people in our community to thrive and be able to contribute their skills to the city through public performance we have created guidelines because we know that most complaints about busking only apply to a small number of performers and usually arise from misunderstandings related to noise levels, repetitive performances or obstruction of thoroughfares.

In most cases a formal complaint will not be needed and enforcement processes will only be required as a last resort if there are persistent issues.

·  Excessively loud performances. Amplification is not permitted in any area except Raintree Park. The City of Darwin Customer Service Team must be notified on the day prior to performing.

·  Acts that involve animals.

·  Selling or offering for sale any articles, commodities or services with the exception of the busker’s own original CDs and DVDs.

·  Fundraising, events or promotions even if they involve any element of performance as listed previously. This includes advertising or spruiking for political, religious or for any other reason.

·  Vilification of any community members, including but not limited to racial, sexual, gender or disability discrimination.

·  Dangerous performances or performances using dangerous goods including but not limited to fire twirling, firecrackers, large props, knives, snakes etc. are currently prohibited.