Licences for using parks and beaches
Surf schools Water recreation
Commercial recreation activities on public open space
Council's Commercial Recreation Activities on Public Open Space Policy(PDF, 209KB) applies to all public open space under Council management including:
- Crown reserves under the trusteeship or control of Council
- Council-owned community and operational land
- Council roads.
The policy aims to identify commercial recreation activities suitable for beaches, parks and other public places administered by Council. The following key points have been considered and addressed:
- Ensure equitable and sustainable use of beaches, parks and other public places for the physical, social and cultural wellbeing of the Tweed community.
- Ensure all licenced activities on public open space are in keeping with the intended use of the space.
- Protect the natural and physical assets of public open space in the Tweed.
- Protect existing and proposed infrastructure on public open space.
- Protect the safety of all users of public open space.
Council may grant a licence for:
- organised fitness activities – personal trainers, yoga classes, sporting coaches, water-based activities leaving from public land, cycling, skating lessons, playgroups, etc.
- outdoor tourist activities – eco-tours, fishing competitions
- other commercial recreation activities – such as a circus or music festival, which have identifiable community benefits, and which require the use of an extensive area.
The policy does not address footpath trading and similar commercial activities.
Licence options
Licences are issued from 1 July each year with duration options including:
- annual
- 6-monthly
- weekly (or short-term) – please contact Council to discuss options and fees for short-term licencing.
Fees and charges
All applications incur a $50 application fee plus additional fees based on the frequency of use of public open space:
- high frequency (over 3 days or 10 hours per week).
- low frequency (3 or less days or under 10 hours per week).
Refer to Fees and charges for the costs involved.
Application for commercial recreation activities on public open space
- industry accreditation – relating to the activity applied for
- Senior First Aid Certificate
- public liability insurance – minimum of $20,000,000.
To apply for a licence, complete and submit the online application below. All applications are assessed on their own merit against the policy.
Licence application for commercial recreation activities on public open space
For more information contact Council's Open Space Officer on 02 6670 2400 or email tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au.
Surf schools
As a commercial activity, surf school operators require a licence to operate on Tweed Shire beaches. Licences apply to beaches zoned RE1 Public Recreation and Open Space 6(a) and any adjacent unzoned beaches(PDF, 2MB). All other beaches and surrounding areas that are zoned otherwise will require a development application to be lodged with Council's Development Assessment Unit.
Applications for surf school licences are required by 1 July each year as the licence season commences on 1 September of each year. There are 2 licence options available, either a 12-month (annual) licence or an 8-month (summer) licence.
There is a weekly fee to operate a surf school which requires advanced monthly payments. Refer to Council's Fees and charges. Surf school operators will receive a monthly invoice from Tweed Shire Council.
Requirements to operate
1. Qualifications
Evidence of qualifications and insurance is required. Applications cannot be processed until Council receives this documentation. The following requirements will be included in the licence conditions if approved.
Appropriate surf coaching/instructing qualifications as well as surf/ocean rescue and first aid training are required for each surf coach who is working under the authority of a licence from Tweed Shire Council. You can submit one of the following with your application:
Option A
- Current accreditation as a surf coach with Surfing Australia (either Foundation Surf Coaching or Progression Surf Coaching).
Accreditation with Surfing Australia includes requirements for first aid, CPR, ocean safety qualifications and a Working with Children Check so these certificates do not need to be submitted separately.
Option B
- Current certification as a surf instructor with the Australian Surfing Institute (ASI) (either level 1 or level 2), and
- Working with Children Check.
Certification with ASI includes requirements for first aid, CPR and surf/ocean rescue so these certificates do not need to be submitted separately.
Option C
International Surfing Association (ISA) instructor/coaching qualifications will be considered where provided in addition to each of the following:
- Australian First Aid*
- Australian surf/ocean rescue qualifications**
- Australian CPR
- Working with Children Check.
* Please note the accepted first aid qualification is referred to by course code HLTAID011; the CPR course code is HLTAID009.
** Accepted surf/ocean safety courses include:
- Surf Life Saving Bronze Medallion (or higher)
- Surf Life Saving Surf Rescue Certificate
- Ocean Safety Surf Coach Award (OSSCA)
- Surf Safety (Supervisor) Course
- ASI Surf Safety Water Rescue.
2. Insurance cover
Public liability insurance (Certificate of Currency) requirements:
- covers a minimum of $20 million
- consistent with the name of the applicant
- relevant to the licence application activity/event and location
- valid and current for the period of the licensed event/activity
- the following wording is required in the Interested parties/counterparties section:
- Tweed Shire Council and Minister administering the Crown Land Management Act 2016.
If the policy expires during the licensed period, then a copy of the updated Certificate of Currency is to be sent to Council for the licence to be valid.
3. Risk management protocol
The following equipment is to be provided on the beach with every class:
- mobile phone
- first aid kits
- 'soft safes' surfboards with soft fins used at entry level
- instructor's rescue board on the beach
- drinking water.
4. General conditions
Location/site management
a) This application applies to surf schools wishing to operate on Tweed Shire beaches as shown on the map(PDF, 2MB).
b) Some beaches within the shire are not covered by this application. Approval to operate a surf school in these areas may require a Development Application lodged with Council's Development Assessment Unit.
c) The licensed surf school shall not interfere with any other beach users and will not have exclusive use rights over any Crown Lands Reserves under the care, control and management of Council, as the Crown Land Manager.
d) All participants in the surf school are to be educated relating to the prohibition of surf craft in flagged areas on the beach under the care of Surf Life Saving Officers.
e) Surf school lessons must be relocated or cancelled if conditions are unsafe, or if a surf carnival or major event is being held.
f) No vehicles are to be driven on the beach or in any public open space as part of a licence.
g) Any class area or parking area is to be kept in a clean and tidy condition free from litter and refuse at all times.
h) The licensed surf school must not unduly impact on the public’s access to public land, including car parking. In busier times such as weekends and school holidays, alternate arrangements may be required for parking of vehicles and trailers to ensure lawful parking arrangements are followed, and that commercial operators are not occupying a disproportionate number of public parking spaces, or as directed by Council’s Manager Parks and Active Communities or delegate.
i) Public carparks or parkland areas are not to be used for storage of vehicles or equipment outside the class times.
Safety management
j) Students and teachers of the licensed surf school are to wear distinctive garments to assist in easy and quick identification.
k) All reasonable directions from Lifeguards or Council officers must be complied with. Liaise with Lifeguards on duty when operating near patrolled beaches.
l) Surf school operators are to keep and retain a record of clients and daily signed logs. Records are to be maintained of injuries/incidents that occur and actions taken. These records are to be made available for inspection by Council as required.
m) A maximum of 8 pupils per accredited coach, at one time.
n) Surf school class sizes may be increased when contracted by the NSW Department of Education or other learning institutions. Surf schools must follow current departmental guidelines.
o) Any other conditions that Council, as the Crown Land Manager may impose.
Exclusions
p) This licence provides for surf school lessons only and does not allow watercraft hire or other equipment unless directly related to the surf school lesson.
q) This licence does not provide for stand-up paddleboard activities.
Surf schools on Tweed Shire beaches online application
For more information contact Council's Parks and Active Communities Unit on 02 6670 2400.
Non-motorised water recreation businesses policy
See Non-motorised water recreation businesses.
The policy explains when a non-motorised water recreation business needs development consent from Council.
For more information contact Council's Development Assessment Unit on 02 6670 2400.