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Film and Photography in Port Phillip

Filming in the City of Port Phillip

The Port Phillip area enjoys a rich array of streetscapes, landscapes, seascapes and parklands. The city's natural heritage is its greatest physical asset. Parklands and open space along the foreshore together with tourist attractions are in high demand as film locations. The city's architectural heritage reflects the history of Melbourne as well as the industrial and maritime heritage of the port.

Film Location Policy

The Film Policy provides guidelines and an application form for filming within the City of Port Phillip including:

  • Television
  • Feature films
  • Advertising
  • Student film projects
  • Documentaries
  • Music videos
  • Commercial stills photography

Filming Permits

Filming Unit Permit Application Form (updated August 2010)

Council's local laws provide guidelines for the use of roads, footpaths and other public spaces for filming activity. This activity is subject to the council's approval based on the film location application and evidence of adequate public liability insurance. Permits must be carried on location and produced upon request of a council local laws officer or the Film Liaison Officer.

Filming without a permit is subject to penalty and immediate evacuation from the location.

The timeframe for the issue of permits correlates to the location and the activity's potential impact on the amenity of residents, traders and traffic. To apply for a permit, please complete the application form and return it via the contact details listed below.

Filming Guidelines
You should also view these to become familiar with your responsibilities whilst filming.

Reserved Parking application form (updated August 2010)
To reserve parking please fill out this form and contact the CoPP Parking Enforcement Department.

Filming Permit Fees

The Film Liaison Unit is financially sustained by charging location fees. A standard fee is applied for filming in the municipality limited to those areas under the council's jurisdiction. A lower fee applies to commercial stills photography. There is an initial establishing charge for the first day of filming for any one project and a second day rate also. A daily rate applies for any subsequent days after the first two. The phrase 'any one project' relates to one feature film, one television commercial, one season of a television series or one season of a television serial.

Filming
$767.40 for the first day
$445.00 for the second day
$152.45 for subsequent days
$445.00 for one half day (4 hours)
$152.45 for unit base use only

Commercial Stills Photography
$344.00 for the first day
$152.45 for subsequent days
$152.45 for 'pack shots' only

In the majority of applications, the location fee charged covers the full service provided by the City of Port Phillip. Additional fees may be charged where film crews park in restricted or metered parking areas. In some instances, a fee is payable internally. A user-pays system applies where additional external services are required.

Filming Fee Waiver

Filming fee waivers may apply to:

  • Projects of demonstrable community benefit Projects related to charitable activities
  • Documentaries which are specific to the cultural heritage of the City of Port Phillip
  • Emerging producers and/or directors who have made no more than two films (including short films)
  • As part of course work for enrolled students

This support is treated as a sponsorship by the City of Port Phillip. The film maker is required to acknowledge the City in the end credits. Sponsorship must be requested in writing, see the contact details listed below. The location acknowledgement will read Filmed in the City of Port Phillip or Thanks to the City of Port Phillip.

Fee waivers will generally only be available once. Fees will not be waived retrospectively.

Notification Timetable

In order to maintain a balanced level of residential and trader amenity, film makers are required to notify in writing persons and businesses which may be affected by their presence. Further community consultation may be requested by the Film Liaison, if determined neccessary.

The timeframe for this notification is:

  • For low impact in residential areas: A minimum of twenty four (24) hours in advance but preferably at least forty eight (48) hours in advance
  • For strip shopping centres: A minimum of seven (7) days for high impact activity
  • For other commercial areas, high density residential areas and those under the jurisdiction of other authorities which impact on council-controlled areas: A minimum of seven (7) days is preferred.
  • For productions with one instance of filming longer than a week in duration: minimum twenty eight (28) days

The Film Liaison Unit works in close conjunction with the Melbourne Film Office and the Film and Television Office of the Victoria Police in administering this service.

Insurance

All applications for a filming approval permit are required to provide evidence of appropriate public liability insurance cover through presentation of their Certificate of Currency prior to a permit being issued.

Please note that we now require Certificates of Currency to note the City of Port Phillip as "co-joint insured" or "interested party".

Film applications using the services of stunt performers are required to provide evidence of appropriate specialised risk insurance or workcover.

Film applications requiring the use of roads or road closure must provide a traffic management report. All filming activity must comply with common law.

Coordination of Council Departments

Filming activity impacts on many council departments and the Film Liaison Officer will co-ordinate the approval of the application across the relevant council departments. Internal liaison between all of these departments to support filming activity is essential in the provision of an efficient, effective service which develops and maintains excellent relationships between the film industry, the city and its residents, traders and visitors.

Damage to Council Property

All costs associated with clearing litter and other waste generated by their activities, and for any damage to parks, irrigation, roads and other council property will be borne by the production company.

Contact the Film Liaison Officer on:
Telephone (03) 9209 6217
Fax (03) 9536 2717
Email filmunit@portphillip.vic.gov.au
Postal Film Liaison Officer, City of Port Phillip, Private Bag 3, St Kilda VIC 3182.

For more information about film locations in the City of Port Phillip and Melbourne, please visit the Melbourne Film Office website at www.film.vic.gov.au/MFO.

St Kilda Film Festival

This popular, annual film festival is celebrated in May or June each year at the Astor Theatre. Celebrating the spectacular triumphs of our local film industry. Australia’s Top 100 shorts screen in competition alongside the musical extravaganza that is SoundKILDA – Australian Music Video Competition. Plus youth programs, an international component, special screenings, filmmaker development and networking events, a series of forums and the St Kilda Film Festival Industry Open Day. Entries close at the end of January. For further festival information, please go to the St Kilda Film Festival wesite at www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au

Contact us or use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online.Ask for the Film Liaison Officer.