Register Event Accessibility Plan - Wellington Bylaws

Civil Rights and Equity Wellington Region 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 12, 2026 Flag of Wellington Region

Wellington, Wellington Region organisers must include and register an Event Accessibility Plan when applying for events on council land to ensure venues and services meet accessibility and inclusion expectations. This guide explains who needs to register, what to include, practical steps to submit the plan to Wellington City Council, and where to get official help in order to comply with city rules and avoid enforcement action.

Who must register

Any organiser seeking approval for a public event on Wellington City Council land or using council-managed facilities is expected to provide an Event Accessibility Plan addressing access routes, spectator and performer needs, accessible toilets, and communications for disabled attendees. For the official application process, use the council event application page below and follow the event approval checklist. Apply for an event on council land[1]

Include contact details for your access liaison in the plan.

Key plan elements

  • Access routes and gradients, temporary ramps and tactile surfaces.
  • Accessible toilets and changing facilities, including location and hours.
  • Communications plan: booking, ticketing, signage, and on-site assistance.
  • Emergency evacuation procedures tailored for people with mobility, sensory or cognitive impairments.
  • Staff training and rostering for access support during event hours.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement for non-compliance with event conditions on council land is undertaken by Wellington City Council compliance and events officers. Specific monetary fines or fee schedules for failing to register an Event Accessibility Plan or breaching event conditions are not specified on the cited application page; organisers should contact the Events team for precise penalties and escalation procedures.[1]

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offence ranges are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: event closure, requirement to rectify access issues, removal from future event approvals, and court action where appropriate.
  • Enforcer: Wellington City Council Events approvals and compliance teams; submit complaints or queries via the council contact pages in Resources below.
  • Appeals and review: formal review or appeal routes are not detailed on the application page; ask Events staff about time limits and appeal steps when you apply.
  • Defences/discretion: council may accept reasonable excuses or grant conditions, permits or variances on a case-by-case basis; these processes are handled by the Events approvals team.

Applications & Forms

  • Event application (online application form): use the Wellington City Council event application portal to submit your Event Accessibility Plan.
  • Fees: any processing, bond or permit fees are shown on the event application or invoiced after approval; specific fees are not specified on the cited page.
  • Submission: submit electronically through the council event application link; contact Events if you need an alternative method.
Attach your accessibility plan as a PDF when you submit the online application.

Action steps for organisers

  • Draft an Event Accessibility Plan covering routes, toilets, communications and evacuation.
  • Complete the Wellington City Council event application and upload the plan.
  • Contact the Events approvals team early to discuss site-specific access measures and potential conditions.
  • Pay any required fees or bonds as invoiced by council after application assessment.

FAQ

Who needs to submit an Event Accessibility Plan?
Organisers of public events on Wellington City Council land or using council-managed facilities should submit a plan as part of their event application.
When must the plan be submitted?
Submit the plan with your event application; specific lead times and deadlines depend on event scale and are set in the application process.
What if I cannot meet an accessibility requirement?
Discuss constraints with the Events approvals team; the council may set conditions, require mitigation, or refuse aspects of the application.

How-To

  1. Prepare a written Event Accessibility Plan addressing routes, toilets, communications, and evacuation procedures.
  2. Visit the Wellington City Council event application page and complete the online application form.
  3. Upload the Event Accessibility Plan and any site maps or photographs requested.
  4. Engage with council Events staff during assessment to address conditions or requirements.
  5. Receive approval, pay any invoiced fees or bonds, and implement the plan on event day.

Key Takeaways

  • Include an Event Accessibility Plan with every council land event application to reduce delays.
  • Contact Wellington City Council Events early to confirm site-specific requirements.
  • Penalties and exact fee details are set by council processes and should be confirmed with Events staff.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Wellington City Council - Apply for an event on council land

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