Upcoming proposed and approved road closures associated with events
Proposed road closures
| Road | Closure Date and Time | Reason | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stafford Street (SH78 Port Loop Road to George Street) Church Street (Stafford Street to Sophia Street) Strathallan Street (Stafford Street to The Terrace) | 27 June 2025 from 3:30 pm to 8:30 pm | Matariki Night Market | LGA 1974 S1, c11(e) |
| Stafford Street (Cliff Street to Beswick Street) King George Place (Barnard Street to Strathallan Street) Cliff Street (Stafford Street to Turnbull Street) | 9 November 2025 from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm | Soap Box Derby | LGA 1974 S1, c11(e) |
| Day One: Talbot Street (Hislop Street to Peel Street) Cox Street (Talbot Street to Hislop Street) Wilson Street (24 Wilson Street to Talbot Street) Day Two: Hislop Street (Cnr of Talbot Street to cnr of Cox Street) | 14 November 2025 from 6:00 am to 5:30 pm & 15 November 2025 from 6:00 am to 5:30 pm | Geraldine Festival | LGA 1974 S1, c11(e) |
| Sophia Street (Bank Street to King George Place) King George Place (Sophia Street to Perth Street) Perth Street (King George Place to Church Street) Church Street (Bank Street to Sophia Street) | 26 December 2025 from 5:00 am to 9:30 pm | Timaru Street Criterium | LGA 1974 S1, c11(e) |
Approved road closures
Pursuant to the Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 10, notice is hereby given that the following road(s) will be temporarily closed to ordinary vehicular traffic for the period and reasons indicated:
| Road | Closure Date and Time | Reason | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
Planning an event in the road corridor?
If you are organising an event that has any impact on the road corridor, there are a number of things you will need to consider.
What is the road corridor?
The road corridor is the area of land (including the road) between property boundaries:
How do I apply?
From July 1, 2024, Timaru District Council has changed the process by which Temporary Road Closures for events are approved.
Council Officers can no longer approve applications for road closures, the decision to approve an application must be approved by Timaru District Council Elected Members at a public scheduled meeting.
Applications are required to be submitted at least 90 days before your planned event. When you submit your application, you will be advised of the estimated decision date. We strongly encourage early application to ensure your event can proceed to its planned timeframe.
To apply for a Temporary Road Closure to hold an event; complete the application form and submit it to CAR@timdc.govt.nz
You will be contacted by Council staff should further information be required during processing and/or to notify you of Council's decision.
What do I need to consider?
(Image sourced from New Zealand Events Association)
Well-prepared event applications help to manage risks and keep our road network safe and functional. To assist event organisers in providing you with the best possible information, NZ Event Association & Parallaxx has developed the new
NZEA Planned Public Events Practice Note
This guide sets out clear processes and expectations for traffic management plans (TMPs) and will:
- Ensure organisers understand your requirements before they submit their application
- Improve the quality and consistency of TMPs you receive
- Reduce back-and-forth and expedite your review process
What is the nature of the event?
You will need to specify in your application what the nature of the planned event is.
- Commercial Event – Where the primary activity is the sale of marketing of goods or services.
- Community Event - Were the primary activity is entertainment, recreation, celebration, or commemoration.
You will need to specify in your application what the nature of the planned event is.
- Commercial Event – Where the primary activity is the sale of marketing of goods or services.
- Community Event - Were the primary activity is entertainment, recreation, celebration, or commemoration.
Event traffic management
Activities on/in the road must be planned to minimise disruptions, delays, or inconveniences to road users and maintain safety. The Timaru District Council's Land Transport Unit requires Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) for any activity that occupies the road corridor or affects normal vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
Costs for traffic management
- Commercial Event - The cost of traffic management (including preparation of traffic management plan and the installation at the event) is the responsibility of the event organiser.
- Community Event - The cost of traffic management (including preparation of traffic management plan and the installation at the event) may be covered by Council*
*Subject to available budgets. Council will discuss available traffic management support upon receipt of the application.
Activities on/in the road must be planned to minimise disruptions, delays, or inconveniences to road users and maintain safety. The Timaru District Council's Land Transport Unit requires Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) for any activity that occupies the road corridor or affects normal vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
Costs for traffic management
- Commercial Event - The cost of traffic management (including preparation of traffic management plan and the installation at the event) is the responsibility of the event organiser.
- Community Event - The cost of traffic management (including preparation of traffic management plan and the installation at the event) may be covered by Council*
*Subject to available budgets. Council will discuss available traffic management support upon receipt of the application.
Planned location
The location of the road closure also needs to be approved by the appropriate Road Controlling Authority (RCA). For local roads, the RCA is Timaru District Council. For State Highways, the RCA is New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
The location of the road closure also needs to be approved by the appropriate Road Controlling Authority (RCA). For local roads, the RCA is Timaru District Council. For State Highways, the RCA is New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
Advertising and its costs
If a temporary road closure is required for an event, event organisers must apply for this at least 90 working days before the event. This is to ensure compliance of the Local Government Act 1974, under which notice of the intention to close a road must be advertised at least 42 days before the proposed period of closure. It is a legal requirement that road closures are advertised to the public.
When advertising a community event, there are rules that should be considered when deciding where to place your advertising signage. Click here to view an overview of these rules.
If a temporary road closure is required for an event, event organisers must apply for this at least 90 working days before the event. This is to ensure compliance of the Local Government Act 1974, under which notice of the intention to close a road must be advertised at least 42 days before the proposed period of closure. It is a legal requirement that road closures are advertised to the public.
When advertising a community event, there are rules that should be considered when deciding where to place your advertising signage. Click here to view an overview of these rules.
Stakeholder engagement
With their application, the event organiser is required to submit a Communications Plan for their event and how they will implement it. This is to ensure affected residents and/or businesses are aware of the closure and can plan accordingly (i.e., should a business’ point of entry or delivery be impacted, or on-street parking may be restricted on a residential street.)
You may submit your own Communication Plan, or you can use our Road Closure Communication Plan Template
With their application, the event organiser is required to submit a Communications Plan for their event and how they will implement it. This is to ensure affected residents and/or businesses are aware of the closure and can plan accordingly (i.e., should a business’ point of entry or delivery be impacted, or on-street parking may be restricted on a residential street.)
You may submit your own Communication Plan, or you can use our Road Closure Communication Plan Template
Other considerations
Public liability insurance
The Timaru District Council requires the Event Organisation (you) to have public liability insurance arranged for the event, to indemnify yourself and Council against claims from the public arising from accidents etc. (For most events a minimum cover of $1,000,000 is required, but some events may require higher cover.)
The Timaru District Council requires the Event Organisation (you) to have public liability insurance arranged for the event, to indemnify yourself and Council against claims from the public arising from accidents etc. (For most events a minimum cover of $1,000,000 is required, but some events may require higher cover.)
Event hire (location)
If you wish to hold an event in one of the Facilities or Parks managed by Timaru District Council, see this webpage for how to make a booking.
If you wish to hold an event in one of the Facilities or Parks managed by Timaru District Council, see this webpage for how to make a booking.
Health and safety at your event
Event organisers are responsible for the health and safety of participants, employees (including volunteers) and spectators at their events. Smaller events will require the completion and monitoring of a risk register, while larger or more complex events will require the completion and monitoring of a health and safety plan.
For further guidance on the health and safety requirements for your event, contact Timaru District Council on 03 687 7200 or email enquiry@timdc.govt.nz.
Event organisers are responsible for the health and safety of participants, employees (including volunteers) and spectators at their events. Smaller events will require the completion and monitoring of a risk register, while larger or more complex events will require the completion and monitoring of a health and safety plan.
For further guidance on the health and safety requirements for your event, contact Timaru District Council on 03 687 7200 or email enquiry@timdc.govt.nz.
Licences you may require for your event
Special licences are required for the sale and supply of certain items, like food and alcohol, at events. You can read more about special licences on this webpage.
Special licences are required for the sale and supply of certain items, like food and alcohol, at events. You can read more about special licences on this webpage.
Full standard conditions
- The Timaru District Council requires the Event Organisation (you) to have public liability insurance arranged for the event, to indemnify yourself and Council against claims from the public arising from accidents etc. (For most events a minimum cover of $1,000,000 is required, but some events may require higher cover.)
- The Event is to be undertaken in accordance with a Temporary Traffic Management Plan approved by the appropriate Road Controlling Authority (RCA). For local roads, the RCA is Timaru District Council. For State Highways, the RCA is New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
- Commercial events are responsible for obtaining and supplying (with this application form) their own Event Traffic Management Plan (including associated costs). Commercial events are also responsible for the cost of installing traffic management at the event.
- Community events are responsible for providing a map indicating the proposed
- road closure area to Council with this application form: Council and/or its Contractors are responsible for preparation of Event Traffic Management Plans for community events and installation of traffic management at the event (and all associated costs), subject to Council approval.
- The Event Organisation is required to submit a Communications Plan for their event with this application form and implement this plan.
- The Event Organisation is required to ensure that all staff at the event (including volunteers) comply with any instructions from NZ Police, Council Officers, and Traffic Management Staff.
- The Event Organisation will be responsible for meeting the cost of any damage to public property, including roads.
- The Event Organisation will be responsible for ensuring the streets and surrounding areas be left in a clean and tidy condition.
- The Event Organisation is required to ensure compliance with any other relevant regulation/bylaw pertaining to the event (for example, health and safety, food/liquor licenses, waste management).
- The Timaru District Council requires the Event Organisation (you) to have public liability insurance arranged for the event, to indemnify yourself and Council against claims from the public arising from accidents etc. (For most events a minimum cover of $1,000,000 is required, but some events may require higher cover.)
- The Event is to be undertaken in accordance with a Temporary Traffic Management Plan approved by the appropriate Road Controlling Authority (RCA). For local roads, the RCA is Timaru District Council. For State Highways, the RCA is New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
- Commercial events are responsible for obtaining and supplying (with this application form) their own Event Traffic Management Plan (including associated costs). Commercial events are also responsible for the cost of installing traffic management at the event.
- Community events are responsible for providing a map indicating the proposed
- road closure area to Council with this application form: Council and/or its Contractors are responsible for preparation of Event Traffic Management Plans for community events and installation of traffic management at the event (and all associated costs), subject to Council approval.
- The Event Organisation is required to submit a Communications Plan for their event with this application form and implement this plan.
- The Event Organisation is required to ensure that all staff at the event (including volunteers) comply with any instructions from NZ Police, Council Officers, and Traffic Management Staff.
- The Event Organisation will be responsible for meeting the cost of any damage to public property, including roads.
- The Event Organisation will be responsible for ensuring the streets and surrounding areas be left in a clean and tidy condition.
- The Event Organisation is required to ensure compliance with any other relevant regulation/bylaw pertaining to the event (for example, health and safety, food/liquor licenses, waste management).
Last updated: 03 Jun 2025