Busking locations

Circle act permit holders are limited to designated circle act pitches and have priority over other permit holders at these pitches.

The following locations are generally permitted for circle act busking:

• Southbank Promenade:
  • in front of 12 Riverside Quay (currently known as Esso House)
  • Queensbridge Square.
• Docklands:
  • Waterfront City Docklands
  • New Quay Docklands
  • Victoria Harbour Docklands.

The following locations are permitted, subject to availability and events:

• Birrarung Marr.

Some permits may be issued for small shows and walk-by acts for locations other than those listed above. These locations will be listed on the individual permits.

Circle act performers may also recommend suitable locations to be approved by the Busking and Program Coordinator after consultation with the relevant areas of the City of Melbourne.

Amplified busking on Southbank Promenade (between Evan Walker Bridge and Queens Bridge) is limited to 8am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday.

Non-amplified busking zones are designated for reasons of public safety or amenity.

Any decision to remove or reinstate amplification to an area must be considered in the context of the busking principles. A reduction in permitted sound levels or permissible amplification times will be considered before the removal of amplification from the city streets.

Except where designated in writing by the City of Melbourne, busking with amplification is strictly not permitted in the following areas:

• outside Flinders Street Station
• outside Southern Cross Station
• in front of the Southgate precinct, Southbank Promenade (between Princes Bridge and Evan Walker Bridge)
• Centre Place
• outside accommodation, including hotels, motels and residential buildings
• outside of the approved times for amplification.

Non-amplified busking zones may change from time to time and differ from this list.

No sound performances are permitted outside Telstra, 246-260 Bourke Street side.

Busking ’no-go zones’ are designated for reasons of public safety or amenity.

Unless advised in writing by the City of Melbourne, the following locations are designated ‘No-go zones’ for City of Melbourne busking permit holders:

• Within five metres of any intersection, pedestrian crossing, traffic signal or public telephone booth unless otherwise designated and excluding designated circle act and Bourke Street Mall pitches.
• Directly in front of ticket barriers, entrances to buildings or train stations.
• Underneath designated super tram stop shelters, as this prevents easy access on and off trams.
• Outside or adjacent to theatres when performances are taking place.
• In parks and gardens (excluding Birrarung Marr).
• Outside Parliament House.
• Outside or adjacent to hospitals, memorial sites (such as Shrine of Remembrance, Bali Memorial) and places of worship when services are taking place.
• At the intersection of Bourke Street Mall and Swanston Street, on the west side.
• On Swanston Street:
  • between Flinders Street and Flinders Lane both east and west sides
  • directly in front of the Town Hall on the eastern side of Swanston Street, between Collins Street and Little Collins Street.

Busking is not permitted at any time in residential zones as designated in the Melbourne Planning Scheme. Residential zones are those areas that are primarily for residential purposes.