Filming and photography

General conditions

1. The Applicant and participants must comply with any request made of them by the Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust (the Trust) staff prior to, during and after the activity.

2. Close liaison must be maintained with Trust staff over the proposed use of the area concerned.

3. The approval of any other government agency that may be required is the applicant’s responsibility.

4. All regulations under the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Act 1980 (as amended) must be observed.

5. A public liability insurance policy for minimum $10 million noting the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust and all its employees and agents must be arranged by the applicant.

6. Evidence of this policy must be provided at the time of application.

7. Any damage resulting from an approved film/photography shoot shall be recompensed by the applicant. All direct costs incurred by the Trust in relation to the shoot must be covered by the Applicant.

8. The Applicant or a representative is to be on-site at all times during the shoot. A mobile telephone number is to be supplied to the Trust for that person.

9. Additional specific conditions may be imposed and will be advised in a separate letter of attachment to the hire agreement.

10. The site is available only to the Licensee whose name appears on this letter. We are to be advised in writing if any of the details of your occupation of the site change.

11. This Agreement for Use is sent in good faith. If in the view of the Licensee it contains any inaccuracies, these must be resolved before signing.

12. The Trust must be advised if any aspect of your shoot changes from the way it is described on your application.

13. The locations chosen for your shoot cannot be legally closed off to other members of the public.

14. The Trust must receive copies of any incident reports arising from the hirers activities on site.

15. Where the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust buildings or lands are depicted in a film, video, photograph or other medium, the hirer shall not cause any display of images, words, acts or other material of a crude, offensive nature that is likely to embarrass or distress or in any way injure the reputation and standing of the Trust, its employees or any reasonable member of the public.

16. Fireworks, externally sourced plants, animals and amplified sound are not permitted, unless specifically authorised by the Trust.

17. The Trust does not provide exclusive use of the Royal Botanic Garden and Domain. As a site hirer, the organiser should be aware that other non-related activities may be occurring or in place during your period of use. The Trust reserves the right to cancel your booking.

18. Failure to comply with conditions in your licence agreement may result in additional fees and/or the bond being withheld.

Risk management and safety

1. A Risk Management and Safety Plan for filming at the location must be developed, implemented and a copy provided to the Trust prior to commencement of the shoot. This includes a risk register as evidence that a thorough risk assessment, which identifies risks and provides a means of implementing and managing controls, has been conducted. This also includes emergency and evacuation plans.

2. All employees and contractors must have OH&S induction training and have completed safe work method statements as required by the OH&S Regulations 2001 Part 8.3.

3. All incidents including injury, property damage or loss and near misses must be investigated, documented and reported to the Trust within 24 hours.

4. Serious incidents must be reported verbally to the Trust immediately.

5. Employees’ and contractors’ work practices must not cause hazards or endanger visitors or staff working on Trust Lands. The work site must be safe, with appropriate safety barricades, guards and signage in place where necessary.

6.  All machinery used on Trust Lands must be in a safe working condition with appropriate safety devices fitted and all machinery conforms to appropriate Workcover legislation.

7.  All employees and contractors must be suitably attired (including where relevant wearing company identification, safety boots, hard hats and safety vests), sober and thoroughly trained for the purposes of the activity.

8. The Licensee must comply with any reasonable direction by the Trust to remove an employee or contractor from active duty on the Site if the are guilty of misconduct and indemnify the Trust against any claim in respect of such action.

Fees and charges

1. A fee will be levied for use of the Trust’s lands and facilities as per current rate card. A bond may also be required as security against possible damage. Payment of location fees must be made prior to the  commencement of the shoot.

2. If the fees are not received on the due dates, the Trust reserves the right to make the site available to another hirer, after a written request to the Licensee for immediate payment.

3. Additional fees may be levied and/or the bond withheld if the shoot is not managed in accordance with the contract and filming conditions.

4. Additional fees may be levied up to $110 (inc. gst) per day if required plans or certificates are not submitted by dates specified in the licence agreement in accordance with the contract and filming conditions.

5. An application for the use of Trust Lands submitted at short notice may incur a late booking fee or be refused.

6. In the event of cancellation, a cancellation fee to cover the Trust’s administrative costs up to the time of notification will be levied. In addition, once a filming permit has been issued the following fee will be retained by the Trust:

   • 50% of the Total Fee if cancelled between 24 & 72 hours from the first day of filming;
   • 75% of the Total Fee if cancelled less than 24 hours from the first day of filming.

7. The cancellation must be in writing.

8. In the event of a change of date, a fee may be levied equivalent to the Trusts’ administrative costs associated with this change of date.

9. Approval will not be final until full payments are received and a signed permit is returned to the Trust.

10. The Trust reserves the right to appoint a Trust site representative to guard the interests of the Trust. The Licensee must meet the costs associated with the engagement of a Trust site representative.

11. The Trust reserves the right to cancel a booking and will refund any payments received. No further compensation will be payable.

Structures and equipment

1. Trust approval must be granted before the erection of any structures. Plans must be submitted to the Trust for this approval.

2. The Applicant must not alter, add or affix any item, sign or poster within the Trust Lands without prior consultation with the Trust. Items must not be attached to trees, buildings, heritage features or other fixed structures.

3. All authorised temporary structures must be weighted not pegged, and must be floored, unless otherwise specifically authorised by the Trust.

4. During construction of stages or other structures, the immediate area is to be fenced off and made safe to the public.

5. The applicant must ensure that all structures and equipment are placed outside the Tree Protection Zones (TPZ). The TPZ is located within the drip-line of any tree canopy and/or 3 meters from the base of any tree.

6. The Applicant shall be responsible for the security of any equipment under their control. 

7. When operating dollies, cranes, moveable arms, or any other machinery, the immediate area is to be defined by witch hats and made safe to the public.

8. All wheeled equipment such as lighting trolleys should be secured in a stationary position.

9. All cables must run along the kerbside where possible and when crossing a path they must be covered with cable guard.

Vehicle movement

1. Please note that there is no vehicle access inside the Garden. Authorised access may be given upon request to essential vehicles such as generator trucks and to utility vehicles for drop off and collection of equipment. All vehicles must be escorted on site by a Trust representative.

2. Vehicles are not permitted to drive more than 10 kph on pathways within the Garden and Domain.

3. Vehicles must be parked only in the metered parking areas provided unless otherwise specifically authorised by the Trust.

4. You must not barricade, or park vehicles in, any area signposted as bus parking areas, disabled parking areas (unless disabled permit is displayed) or media parking or any area signposted as no standing.

5. When vehicular access is authorised, the Trust disclaims liability for any third party personal injury or property damage claims, which may arise from vehicles being driven or transported on its lands.

6. Vehicles are not permitted to drive or park on the grass.

7. Riding on the back or other inappropriate parts of open vehicles is strictly prohibited.

8. Drivers are not permitted to drive over sandstone kerbing.

9. Changes to road conditions must be managed by authorised personnel and require signage via variable message signs and must be arranged with written permission from the Trust.

10. Directing or controlling traffic must only be managed by an RTA-certified traffic controller.

11. Most paths and access points have weight and height restrictions. Please check these points with Trust staff to ensure transport vehicles can fit without damage to the site. It is not permitted to drive trucks on Trust lands that are over 4.3 metres in height, or trucks that are oversized according to RTA regulations or weighing more than 8T per axle.

Catering conditions

1. The authorised catering service must comply with all statutory health requirements including the Temporary Food Premises Code from Sydney City Council.

2. The Caterer must ensure that hot water, oil, fat, ice or dry ice is not tipped on the grass.

3. Such tipping damages the turf and a returfing fee will be charged.

4. Notification of all power and water requirements should be given at the time of the application.

5. The Caterer must have its own sullage and rubbish facilities. No sullage can be disposed of on site.

6. Catering Contractors and their staff must comply with any reasonable request made of them by Trust staff prior to, during and after the activity.

7. Only light garden chairs and trestle tables can be used in authorised catering areas. 

8. Caterers using gas bottles must display plates with current NSW LPG Certificate of Inspection & comply with all regulations.

9. No open-air BBQ’s are allowed within the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. BBQ’s must be within floored marquees and residues must be collected in drip trays. Portable BBQ’s are to be elevated to prevent damage to grass.

Cleaning

1. All litter must be removed at the end of the shoot.

2. The Applicant is responsible for returning the Designated Trust Lands to the Trust in the same or better condition.

3. At the finish of the shoot, the Trust reserves the right to request further cleaning of the Designated Trust Lands at a cost to the Applicant.

1. A Risk Management and Safety Plan for filming at the location must be developed, implemented and a copy provided to the Trust prior to commencement of the shoot. This includes a risk register as evidence that a thorough risk assessment, which identifies risks and provides a means of implementing and managing controls, has been conducted. This also includes emergency and evacuation plans.

2. All employees and contractors must have OH&S induction training and have completed safe work method statements as required by the OH&S Regulations 2001 Part 8.3.

3. All incidents including injury, property damage or loss and near misses must be investigated, documented and reported to the Trust within 24 hours.

4. Serious incidents must be reported verbally to the Trust immediately.

5. Employees’ and contractors’ work practices must not cause hazards or endanger visitors or staff working on Trust Lands. The work site must be safe, with appropriate safety barricades, guards and signage in place where necessary.

6.  All machinery used on Trust Lands must be in a safe working condition with appropriate safety devices fitted and all machinery conforms to appropriate Workcover legislation.

7.  All employees and contractors must be suitably attired (including where relevant wearing company identification, safety boots, hard hats and safety vests), sober and thoroughly trained for the purposes of the activity.

8. The Licensee must comply with any reasonable direction by the Trust to remove an employee or contractor from active duty on the Site if the are guilty of misconduct and indemnify the Trust against any claim in respect of such action.

1. A fee will be levied for use of the Trust’s lands and facilities as per current rate card. A bond may also be required as security against possible damage. Payment of location fees must be made prior to the  commencement of the shoot.

2. If the fees are not received on the due dates, the Trust reserves the right to make the site available to another hirer, after a written request to the Licensee for immediate payment.

3. Additional fees may be levied and/or the bond withheld if the shoot is not managed in accordance with the contract and filming conditions.

4. Additional fees may be levied up to $110 (inc. gst) per day if required plans or certificates are not submitted by dates specified in the licence agreement in accordance with the contract and filming conditions.

5. An application for the use of Trust Lands submitted at short notice may incur a late booking fee or be refused.

6. In the event of cancellation, a cancellation fee to cover the Trust’s administrative costs up to the time of notification will be levied. In addition, once a filming permit has been issued the following fee will be retained by the Trust:

   • 50% of the Total Fee if cancelled between 24 & 72 hours from the first day of filming;
   • 75% of the Total Fee if cancelled less than 24 hours from the first day of filming.

7. The cancellation must be in writing.

8. In the event of a change of date, a fee may be levied equivalent to the Trusts’ administrative costs associated with this change of date.

9. Approval will not be final until full payments are received and a signed permit is returned to the Trust.

10. The Trust reserves the right to appoint a Trust site representative to guard the interests of the Trust. The Licensee must meet the costs associated with the engagement of a Trust site representative.

11. The Trust reserves the right to cancel a booking and will refund any payments received. No further compensation will be payable.

1. Trust approval must be granted before the erection of any structures. Plans must be submitted to the Trust for this approval.

2. The Applicant must not alter, add or affix any item, sign or poster within the Trust Lands without prior consultation with the Trust. Items must not be attached to trees, buildings, heritage features or other fixed structures.

3. All authorised temporary structures must be weighted not pegged, and must be floored, unless otherwise specifically authorised by the Trust.

4. During construction of stages or other structures, the immediate area is to be fenced off and made safe to the public.

5. The applicant must ensure that all structures and equipment are placed outside the Tree Protection Zones (TPZ). The TPZ is located within the drip-line of any tree canopy and/or 3 meters from the base of any tree.

6. The Applicant shall be responsible for the security of any equipment under their control. 

7. When operating dollies, cranes, moveable arms, or any other machinery, the immediate area is to be defined by witch hats and made safe to the public.

8. All wheeled equipment such as lighting trolleys should be secured in a stationary position.

9. All cables must run along the kerbside where possible and when crossing a path they must be covered with cable guard.

1. Please note that there is no vehicle access inside the Garden. Authorised access may be given upon request to essential vehicles such as generator trucks and to utility vehicles for drop off and collection of equipment. All vehicles must be escorted on site by a Trust representative.

2. Vehicles are not permitted to drive more than 10 kph on pathways within the Garden and Domain.

3. Vehicles must be parked only in the metered parking areas provided unless otherwise specifically authorised by the Trust.

4. You must not barricade, or park vehicles in, any area signposted as bus parking areas, disabled parking areas (unless disabled permit is displayed) or media parking or any area signposted as no standing.

5. When vehicular access is authorised, the Trust disclaims liability for any third party personal injury or property damage claims, which may arise from vehicles being driven or transported on its lands.

6. Vehicles are not permitted to drive or park on the grass.

7. Riding on the back or other inappropriate parts of open vehicles is strictly prohibited.

8. Drivers are not permitted to drive over sandstone kerbing.

9. Changes to road conditions must be managed by authorised personnel and require signage via variable message signs and must be arranged with written permission from the Trust.

10. Directing or controlling traffic must only be managed by an RTA-certified traffic controller.

11. Most paths and access points have weight and height restrictions. Please check these points with Trust staff to ensure transport vehicles can fit without damage to the site. It is not permitted to drive trucks on Trust lands that are over 4.3 metres in height, or trucks that are oversized according to RTA regulations or weighing more than 8T per axle.

1. The authorised catering service must comply with all statutory health requirements including the Temporary Food Premises Code from Sydney City Council.

2. The Caterer must ensure that hot water, oil, fat, ice or dry ice is not tipped on the grass.

3. Such tipping damages the turf and a returfing fee will be charged.

4. Notification of all power and water requirements should be given at the time of the application.

5. The Caterer must have its own sullage and rubbish facilities. No sullage can be disposed of on site.

6. Catering Contractors and their staff must comply with any reasonable request made of them by Trust staff prior to, during and after the activity.

7. Only light garden chairs and trestle tables can be used in authorised catering areas. 

8. Caterers using gas bottles must display plates with current NSW LPG Certificate of Inspection & comply with all regulations.

9. No open-air BBQ’s are allowed within the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. BBQ’s must be within floored marquees and residues must be collected in drip trays. Portable BBQ’s are to be elevated to prevent damage to grass.

1. All litter must be removed at the end of the shoot.

2. The Applicant is responsible for returning the Designated Trust Lands to the Trust in the same or better condition.

3. At the finish of the shoot, the Trust reserves the right to request further cleaning of the Designated Trust Lands at a cost to the Applicant.

These terms and conditions are to be read in conjunction with the Filming and Photography conditions above.

Hours of filming and photography

Night filming and other access times may be arranged on application. Please contact us for more information.

Booking payment

Location fees will be calculated on application according to the current rate card.

Payment of location fee must be made before filming commences.

Your booking is not confirmed until full payment has been received.

Bookings are for non-exclusive use of a venue. Exclusive use may attract a daily hiring fee in addition to the location fee.

Late fees as specified on the rate card may be payable for applications received less than two (2) business days prior to shoot.

The portraiture photography fee allows one photographer to photograph one client (that can be a group/family).

Cancellation

Cancellations unrelated to wet or adverse weather (see below) will incur a cancellation fee if cancellation is made less than two (2) days from the shoot date. (see our rate card for fees)

Wet weather cancellation

A refund of location fees of an amount comparable to the time of lost due to inclement or adverse weather is permissible, minus the non-refundable application fee.

A future date may be approved in lieu of time lost due to inclement weather.

Weather hold days may be applied for and approved where it is anticipated that time may be lost due to adverse weather.

The Garden reserves the right to alter, cancel or postpone any filming/photography on Garden lands due to the occurrence of adverse weather.

Bond payment

Where the Garden considers maintenance or restoration works may be required after filming or photography a bond will be held prior too filming.

Security

It is a requirement during film shoots that a dedicated Garden ranger is on duty at all times. Their role is to enforce Gardens Regulations and where possible to assist with any reasonable request made by the production company.

The cost of Ranger Security Officer resources is borne by the production company and will be invoiced by the Garden.

If external security is on site for a film shoot the applicant must provide the masters licence and public liability insurance from the external security provider.

Public Liability Insurance

Public liability insurance of minimum $20 million is required for all filming; and public liability insurance of minimum $10 million is required for all photography.

A copy of a certificate of currency must be submitted to the Garden along with the application.

The Royal Botanic Garden and Domain Trust and officers of the Royal Botanic Garden and Domain Trust must be named as interested parties on the insurance policy.

Induction

To fulfil a booking, the party lead who attends the site must complete an online induction.

Vehicles

Vehicles along Garden paths are not permitted. Please discuss transport of equipment with our staff. Transport fees apply.

Site preparation

Garden features, landscapes, or built structures may not be altered.

Fencing off garden areas for exclusive use is not permitted, unless otherwise authorised.

Special requests for site preparation may incur additional costs.

Cables crossing pathways or tracks must be protected with appropriate covers to ensure public safety.

Construction and props

Built structures are not permitted in the Garden however free standing props may be permitted. Please contact us for more information.

Use of Trust buildings

The Royal Botanic Garden and Domain Trust does not provide buildings for production purposes, unless otherwise authorised.

Use of ponds

Built structures are not permitted in or over ponds. No boats are permitted on ponds unless authorised.  

Flora and fauna

The Garden is an increasingly important wildlife refuge. Please do not harass or feed aquatic life or birds, pick flowers, take cuttings of plants or otherwise damage animal or plant life. Fines apply for these actions.

Animals

Domestic animals of any type are prohibited in the Garden unless otherwise authorised.

Working with children

Filmmakers and still photographers must hold an authority to employ any children under 15 years of age for the purposes of entertainment, exhibition and still photography.

More information is available from the NSW Office for Children – the Children’s Guardian (OCCG) on (02) 8219 3600 or www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au.

The ‘Entertainment and Exhibition’ category under this legislation includes filming for TV commercials, feature films, TV dramas, documentaries etc. and exhibitions, such as catwalk modelling.

Access to electrical supply

Electricity supply is not provided by the Garden.

Silent mobile generators may be used and are to be arranged by production companies at their own expense.

Aerial filming

The use of any aircraft (fixed wing, helicopters, hot air balloons, parachutes, model aircraft) on or above Garden lands is prohibited, unless otherwise authorised.

Risk assessment

A risk assessment and safety plan must be completed by the production company prior to work commencing on site. It is the responsibility of the production company to ensure all legislative requirements for OH&S and public safety are met.

Damage

The hirer will be held responsible for any damage caused to the location during the booking.

Catering

Catering contractors and their staff must comply with any reasonable request made of them by the Garden's staff prior to, during and after the booking.

The caterer must ensure that hot water, oil, fat, ice or dry ice is not tipped on the grass, such tipping may damage the turf. No rubbish or waste can be disposed of on site. Caterers using gas bottles must a Notice of Compliance Certificate or a Compliance Plate/Badge.   An online induction must be completed by caterers.

Cleaning

All litter must be removed at the end of the shoot. The hirer is responsible for returning the venue to the Garden in the same condition it was prior to the shoot. At the finish of the shoot, the Garden reserves the right to request further cleaning of the venue at a cost to the hirer.

Sound

Sound must be at ambient levels within the filming or photography site. Amplified sound is not permitted unless otherwise authorised.

Trading terms

The Garden reserves the right to decline filming and photography applications if deemed unreasonable by the Garden.

Any application received within two (2) working days before the shoot date will be subject to approval at the Garden's discretion. If major changes are required to the initial application a new application may be required for approval. Changes to the initial application is limited to two (2).

Indemnity

The hirer or any of the associated persons shall indemnify the Garden against:

Loss of or damage to property  of the gardens, and; Claims by any person against the Gardens in respect of personal injury or death, or loss of a damage to any property.

Further information

For further information relating to these conditions or applications for hire of facilities, please contact our staff on (02) 4567 3000.

These terms and conditions are to be read in conjunction with the Filming and Photography conditions above.

Wedding photography

The wedding photography permit provides you with a two (2) hour permit for use in any location that is not already booked – and you are to stay no longer than 30 min in any given location - all areas are non-exclusive.

Bookings do not include any garden infrastructure, such as BBQ’s, tables, benches or playgrounds. Wedding photography must not interfere with the general use of public facilities.

Portraiture photography

The portraiture photography fee allows one photographer to photograph one client (that can be a group/family).

Download the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney filming and photography rate card (PDF, 511 Kb)

July 2022 - June 2023

July 2023 – June 2024