Perth Parade & Protest Security Plans - Bylaws

Perth, Western Australia organisers of parades, protests and public assemblies must coordinate security, safety and approvals with the City of Perth, Main Roads WA and WA Police. This guide explains the practical steps to prepare a security plan, which agencies to notify, the typical approval workflow and how enforcement and appeals work in Perth.

Legal framework and approvals

Public events that use streets, reserves or public infrastructure generally require approvals from the local government and, for road impacts, from Main Roads WA. Police manage public order and safety during assemblies and may require a notification or liaison. Early contact with each agency reduces the risk of permit conditions or operational refusals.

Key contacts are listed in Help and Support / Resources below and in each agencies' event pages ^[1][2][3].

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement may involve City of Perth compliance officers and WA Police. Where an event breaches permit conditions or applicable local laws, the enforcing authority can issue infringements, orders or prosecute in court depending on the seriousness of the breach.

• Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page. ^[1]
• Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offences are handled by progressive compliance or prosecution but specific penalty ranges are not specified on the cited pages. ^[1]
• Non-monetary sanctions: permit conditions, stop orders, removal of structures, seizure of unauthorised equipment and court action may be used; exact measures depend on the enforcing agency. ^[3]
• Enforcers and complaint pathways: City of Perth By-law Enforcement and WA Police are the primary enforcers; see agency pages for official contact and complaint routes. ^[1]
• Appeals and reviews: internal review or council review processes may apply; where statutory rights exist external review bodies such as tribunals or courts can be used, but specific time limits are not specified on the cited event pages. ^[1]

Applications & Forms

• City of Perth event application: use the City of Perth events/approvals process to apply for use of public land; fees and form names are not specified on the cited page. ^[1]
• Main Roads WA temporary road closure or events on roads application: required where an event affects state roads; the cited page describes the process but fees and specific form numbers are not specified on that page. ^[2]
• WA Police liaison or notification: organisers should contact local police to discuss public order and safety; the police guidance page sets out liaison expectations but does not publish a single universal form on that page. ^[3]

Preparing a security plan

A security plan should explain roles, crowd control, stewarding, communications, emergency procedures, first aid, transport impacts and liaison arrangements with police and local government.

• Risk assessment covering crowd size, route, vulnerable locations and foreseeable escalation scenarios.
• Operational plan for stewards, marshalling, barriers, vehicle separation and safety equipment.
• Traffic and transport management measures where roads are affected; include access for emergency services.
• Communications plan with on-site radios, command contacts and a public information officer.
• Notification and liaison record showing contacts and dates of communications with City of Perth, Main Roads WA and WA Police.

Action steps for organisers

• Identify the exact public land and roads affected and check City of Perth and Main Roads WA approval requirements. ^[1][2]
• Contact your local WA Police events liaison to discuss public order, times and stewarding. ^[3]
• Submit required applications, pay fees if specified by the agency and keep written confirmation of approvals and conditions. ^[1]
• Implement the security plan and maintain records of steward training, incident logs and debrief notes.

FAQ

Do I always need a permit to hold a protest or parade in Perth?

No single answer: whether a permit is required depends on the location and whether public roads or City of Perth land are used; organisers must contact the City of Perth and Main Roads WA as relevant. ^[1][2]

Who enforces safety and crowd control rules?

WA Police handle public order and safety; City of Perth enforcement officers oversee local permit compliance. ^[3][1]

How long before an event should I apply?

Start multi-agency consultations as early as possible; aim for at least 6–8 weeks for complex events, though the agencies' pages should be checked for any stated minimums. ^[1]

How-To

1. Identify the event footprint and check if it uses City of Perth land or state roads.
2. Prepare a written security plan covering stewards, communications, emergency response and medical arrangements.
3. Contact WA Police events liaison and the City of Perth to discuss the plan and any required notifications.
4. Submit required applications to City of Perth and Main Roads WA, attaching the security plan and traffic management plan if needed.
5. Obtain written approvals, note all conditions, brief your team and hold a pre-event coordination meeting with agencies if requested.
6. Run the event with monitoring, record incidents, and complete a post-event debrief for lessons learned.

Key Takeaways

• Engage City of Perth, Main Roads WA and WA Police early to avoid delays.
• A clear security plan and traffic management plan are central to approvals.
• Keep records of communications and approvals to reduce enforcement risk.

Help and Support / Resources

• City of Perth - Events, permits and contact
• Main Roads Western Australia - Events on roads and closures
• WA Police Force - Public safety and events liaison

1. [1] City of Perth - Events, permits and contact
2. [2] Main Roads Western Australia - Events on roads and closures
3. [3] WA Police Force - Public safety and events liaison