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                    Promotions and sampling

                    Promote your products through our dedicated sites around the central Melbourne city.

                    ​​​​​​​Promotions locations

                    View our on-street promotion locations on our interactive maps. Pedestrian data is also available via our Pedestrian Counting System.

                    The following sites have been allocated specifically for promotional purposes, while roaming is not permitted:

                    • Bourke Street Mall
                    • Queensbridge Square
                    • Southbank Spillway
                    • 72-82 Errol Street, North Melbourne (outside the North Melbourne Post Office)
                    • NAB Forecourt, Docklands
                    • Southern Cross Station walkway
                    • Evan Walker Bridge (Southbank Pedestrian Bridge) – near Flinders Walk
                    • Outside Flinders Street Station (sampling only)
                    • ​Outside Melbourne Central Station – Swanston St (sampling only)
                    • Outside Melbourne Central Station – Elizabeth St (sampling only)
                    • Outside Parliament Station (sampling only)
                    • Piazza Italia (Carlton)
                    • New Quay Promenade East (near Aquitania Way and Condor Apartments)
                    • New Quay Promenade West (in front of the piazza)
                    • Yarra’s Edge (end of Webb Bridge Docklands)
                    • Yanonung Quay (adjacent to Wharf 8)
                    • Harbour Esplanade North (adjacent to Wharf 15)
                    • Outside own business.

                    Once you've selected your promotion site, reviewed the criteria and are satisfied with the terms and conditions, you can apply for a promotions permit.

                    Promotions permit application

                    You must submit your promotions permit application at least 10 full business days before the activation. 

                    Please note that completing the application form doesn't guarantee availability, booking of the site or give approval for the promotion.

                    ​Promotions permit fees

                    Permit fees apply at promotional spaces or outside a business. All permit applications incur a $64 application fee plus a duration fee. Fees are GST free.

                    Promotion fees are charged per site used and the duration of use:

                    • Up to 2 hours per site, per day: $1290
                    • Up to 4 hours per site, per day: $1938
                    • Over 4 hours per site, per day: $2591

                    Community or not-for-profit registered groups may be eligible for a full fee waiver.

                    Fees are effective from 1 July 2023.

                    Additional fees may apply during the permitting process.​

                    Promotions criteria

                    • Products must be sample sized – products that are available for retail sale are not sample sized. Food and drink samples must be no more than a mouthful per person.
                    • The selling of any product is prohibited.
                    • All products must have 'Do not litter' or similar printed on them.
                    • Products in glass are not permitted.
                    • The promotion must encourage unique interaction by incorporating elements that seek to highlight the brand or product in an engaging way.
                    • Handbill distribution is not a promotional or sampling activity – refer to Handbills for guidelines and to apply for a permit.
                    • When sampling food or drink, a Notification to Operate a Temporary Food Premises will also need to be supplied to Health Services.
                    • Promotions must remain within the promotion site, roaming is not permitted.
                    • Promotional activities cannot run for more than 7 consecutive days.
                    • A not-for-profit or community organisation may apply to promote within any of City of Melbourne’s designated promotional sites for a maximum of 40 days per calendar year.
                    • All activations must have an interactive component. E.g. not standalone static installations or infrastructure.
                    • Other guidelines and permits may apply depending on your application.

                    Confirmation of booking and payment

                    Your promotion permit application will be reviewed and assessed by the City of Melbourne Event Operations team. If your application is accepted, you will be sent a requirements email which includes an invoice for a non-refundable application fee and the site duration fee. Payment must be made promptly as your permit will not be issued unless full ​​payment has been received.​​​

                    Payments can be made by credit card, cheque or online.

                    To pay your invoice online, you will need to provide your reference number on the permit invoice.

                    Contact us

                    Contact name
                    Experience Melbourne – Event Operations team
                    Telephone number
                    03 9658 965803 9658 9658
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