Traffic management at special events

If you are organising a special event in Queensland, such as a sporting or community event, you should first refer to the Queensland Government's Events in Queensland handbook - Best practice guidelines for event delivery in Queensland. This outlines the guiding principles for event organisers interacting with the Queensland Government to enable them to successfully plan and manage an event. For information about managing events in Queensland and access to this guide, please visit Help with running special events.

Depending on the size, location and impact of your event, you may identify several stakeholders such as local council, landowners and Queensland government agencies which you may need to contact to discuss your event and requirements.

To run a special event in Queensland, organisers must obtain written approval from the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and the public or private authorities responsible for the roads the event will use.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has published guidelines on traffic control measures and devices used to warn, instruct and guide road users for all types of events. Read the Event Traffic Management Design Guidelines for information.

To support the local community, sporting groups and event organisers, a Process Flow Chart and Frequently Asked Questions are available to help better understand the traffic management requirements for special events. This flow chart outlines the process for holding special events that impact state-controlled roads. If your event impacts council-controlled roads, you will need to liaise with QPS and your local council to manage any event impacts. To determine the owner of roads in Queensland, please use the Road Lookup function on QLD Traffic.

The following information will assist you with an application for an event that uses, or significantly impacts on adjoining state-controlled roads.

Planning for traffic impacts

If you anticipate your event will have an impact on traffic, you will be required to engage a Traffic Management Designer to develop a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) and supporting Traffic Guidance Scheme (TGS). QPS, local council and Transport and Main Roads offices will advise accordingly.

More information about Traffic Management Designers is available in the Information for traffic management designers factsheet.

A list of individuals currently qualified to provide traffic management design services can be found in the TMD qualified individuals register.

Community events

For community events in low risk road environments (typically on low speed and low volume roads), such as ANZAC Day Marches in regional communities, traffic is often controlled by the QPS, sometimes with the assistance of the State Emergency Service (SES), operating under direction of the QPS.

Transport and Main Roads has established an Event Traffic Marshal (ETM) scheme which enables volunteers to be engaged by Event Organisers to undertake basic traffic control tasks. The scheme provides sporting, community and special interest groups with an alternative low cost option in circumstances where accredited Traffic Controllers may not be required for basic and low risk duties.

For more information about the Event Traffic Marshal role and the Event Organiser responsibilities, please visit the Event traffic marshals page.

Useful links:

• Event traffic marshals
• Event traffic marshal eLearn training program
• Managing events in Queensland
• Road corridor permits
• Special event permits  
• Traffic control permits