Our friendly staff look forward to assisting with your enquiry.
We play a major role in supporting, approving and delivering over 200 events each year. Through events, we are committed to promoting our region, supporting tourism and encourage connected communities. We look forward to hearing from organisations and groups about your next event.
Contact an Event Officer via email or call 03 5153 9500
The East Gippsland Event Growth Action Plan 2021-2026 outlines how East Gippsland can increase the economic, social and environmental benefits from events. The Plan provides a framework that will enable East Gippsland Shire Council to support and develop events in our region.
For your copy, go to the Economic Development page.
Coronavirus and events
COVIDSafe Event requirements are no longer required in Victoria. However, event operators are encouraged to continue infection-mitigation practices at events.
For more information, visit the Victorian Government's How we work: Victoria website
To find out what major events are happening in East Gippsland visit the What's On Calendar.
Want to list your event for free on Visit East Gippsland? Register your event with Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) and your event will automatically be listed on Visit East Gippsland’s What’s On, as well as other tourism websites and other media opportunities.
For tips and a how to guide to register with ATDW, go to Destination Gippsland Listing with ATDW, and ensure you are registered and benefit from the marketing opportunities ATDW offers.
Need to know more? Contact East Gippsland Marketing Inc.
Public events held on public land require the completion of the Initial Event Permit Advice Form, submitted at least three months before your event.
At a minimum, all event permit applications will need:
Depending on event activities, other considerations include:
Public events held on roads or Council land without a permit will incur a fine of 20 Penalty Units.
If you need help when filling out the form, contact events@egipps.vic.gov.au
We have an Events Concierge who is committed to helping organisations and groups develop, plan and implement successful and safe events. We also provide specialist advice to facilitate and support events that attract visitation and contribute to developing East Gippsland into a major event destination.
You will find a range of resources below which will help you plan and execute a successful event.
Event Management
Templates and Guides
Leveraging Events Toolkits
Application Forms
Other Resources
Our Event Management Toolkit, below, is a one-stop shop for event organisers – providing the information you need on event planning, sponsorship, grants, coordinating volunteers and staff, how to run committee meetings and post-event reviews and surveys.
You will find a range of event-related resources below, including templates and checklists, which will help you plan and execute a successful event.
1. Post-event Review Checklist
6. Comprehensive Post Event Report
3. Committee Structure, Responsibilities & Checklist
1. Event Coordinator Position Description
2. How to Use the Budget Template
1. Sponsorship Tracker How to Use Guide
3. Sponsorship Prospectus and Agreements
4. Mastering Regional Sponsorship
2. Media Famil Itinerary Example 1
3. Media Famil Itinerary Example 2
4. Media Famil Itinerary Example 3
7. Websites where you can list your event for free
1. Approvals and Licenses Required for Events
1. Event Delivery Run Sheet Template
Take your business event to East Gippsland and promise your delegates a memorable and unique experience.
• Host your event in Bairnsdale and enjoy comfort and attractions;
• Choose Lakes Entrance or Mallacoota for a picturesque beachfront setting; or
• Head inland and seclude yourself in the lush greenery and rugged mountain ranges of the Snowy River or the Alpine High Country.
From purpose-built conference venues, to cosy farm-style spaces and elegant function centres, East Gippsland offers versatile venues anywhere from 10 to 300 delegates, accommodating corporate functions, intimate retreats, through to venues with up to 75 bedrooms, conference facilities and catering on site.
East Gippsland is the place where conference breaks are mindful, delegates are energised, and business events are more natural with less stress. To see what East Gippsland has to offer, please see Business Done Different.
Contact Council Business Events
See the Visit East Gippsland website for more information.
East Gippsland Emerging Tourism Events Mentoring Program: Pathway to Growth is a council program which aims to support event organisers to plan, grow and deliver successful tourism events.
The program will support a small number of home-grown tourism events unique to East Gippsland, for a three-year period.
The aim is to build capacity to help organisers elevate their event and ensure long-term sustainability and viability.
This program has been designed to cover each stage of the event planning cycle, aligning to East Gippsland Shire Council’s Event Action Plan 2021-26.
Our Events unit strives to stimulate the development of events that deliver social and economic benefits for East Gippsland, which attract intrastate and interstate visitors and helps promote East Gippsland outside the region to further encourage visitation.
Pathways to Growth will be seeking a variety of events in the high yield areas such as:
Pathways to Growth events are eligible for a Council contribution of up to $20,000 value per year.
For more information on the program and the application process, read the Emerging Tourism Events Mentoring Program: Pathways to Growth Information and Application Guidelines.
We recommend talking to us before your start your application. Call your Events Officer on 03 5153 9500.
To start your application, visit the SmartyGrants portal.
Pathways to Growth Round 2 2023-2024 opens 25 September 2023 and closes 30 October 2023midnight.
Our Community Grants Program aims to support groups and organisations with projects with two funding rounds a year.
There are two funding programs suitable for events:
For further information, please see Council Grants.
Also available is Grant Guru, a one-stop shop comprehensive grants database. You can create your own login and develop a grants profile or just search for a grant suitable for you.
For more information, visit the East Gippsland Grant Guru portal.
There are many public open spaces, community halls, parks and foreshores available for community events. East Gippsland is also home to incredible natural assets such as our lakes, rivers, mountains and forest reserves which are ideal locations for outdoor adventure sporting events.
To discuss possible locations for your event, please contact your Events Officer.
Council also controls the historic Bairnsdale Rotunda, Bairnsdale Nicholson Mall, Lakes Entrance Rotunda, our regional libraries and other facilities.
To make a booking, contact Council.