Our local laws about public health and safety are designed to make sure everyone can enjoy community facilities and local businesses in a safe and healthy way. If you notice a problem that could affect public health and safety, please report it to us.
Personal appearance services – safety & hygiene
All personal appearance services must maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness. This includes all services for hairdressing, waxing, skin needling, piercing, nail services, massage, tattooing, cosmetic tattooing or make-up application.
All higher risk personal appearance services on the Gold Coast must be licensed and follow the Public Health (Infection Control for Personal Appearance Services) Act 2003. Our Health Officers monitor the standards of personal appearance services.
If you believe that a personal appearance service is not following proper hygiene and cleanliness standards, please report it to us. You can either:
- report a problem with a personal appearance service online
- call us on 07 5667 5988.
Report A PROBLEM WITH A PERSONAL APPEARANCE SERVICE
Food businesses – hygiene & cleanliness
All food business must maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness. The food they produce must be safe for people to eat.
All food businesses must hold a current Food Business Licence. They must operate their business in a way that follows the Queensland Food Act 2006 and current food safety standards. Our Environmental Health Officers inspect food businesses on the Gold Coast.
If you believe you have become ill from eating food from a Gold Coast food business, please contact us as soon as possible on 07 5667 5988.
If you believe that a food business is not following proper hygiene and cleanliness standards, please report it to us. You can either:
- report a problem related to hygiene and cleanliness of food premises online
- call us on 07 5667 5988.
Report A PROBLEM RELATED TO HYGIENE AND CLEANLINESS OF FOOD PREMISES
Campground & caravan park conditions
All campgrounds and caravan parks on the Gold Coast must provide adequate facilities and be kept safe, clean and hygienic. Campgrounds and caravan parks must be licensed to operate.
For information about our requirements for campgrounds and caravan parks, please visit our Camping area licence page.
If you notice a problem with the standard of a campground or caravan park, please report it to us. You can either:
- report problems with campground or caravan park conditions online
- call us on 07 5667 5988.
Report ISSUES WITH CAMPGROUND CONDITIONS
Commercial swimming pools
Commercial swimming pools must be licensed and operate in a way that ensures public safety. They must maintain high levels of cleanliness, water safety and equipment safety. They must also follow our laws about signage and advertising.
If you believe that a commercial swimming pool is not operating in a way that is safe and clean, please report the problem to us. You can either:
- report a problem with a commercial swimming pool online
- call us on 07 5667 5991.
Report AN ISSUE WITH A COMMERCIAL SWIMMING POOL
Mosquitoes
We have an ongoing program to control mosquito populations throughout the Gold Coast. Mosquito numbers are likely to increase after rainfall and with very high tides.
For more information about mosquitoes and our control program, please visit our Mosquitoes page.
If you have a problem with mosquitoes that is not explained on our Mosquitoes page, please report it to us. You can either:
REPORT MOSQUITO ISSUES
Rental accommodation
All rental accommodation on the Gold Coast must be maintained in a condition that is healthy and safe for occupants. This includes holiday rentals and permanent rental accommodation. Some types of rental accommodation need a licence to operate.
If you notice a problem with holiday or permanent rental accommodation, please report it to us. This might include bed bugs, damaged carpets or blinds, minor damage, water leaks, mould, electrical problems or fire safety. You can either:
- report problems with rental accommodation online
- call us on 07 5667 5988.
REPORT ISSUES WITH RENTAL ACCOMMODATION
Vermin
Vermin like rats and mice can spread disease and damage property.
Not all rats and mice cause problems. Australia's native rats and mice usually live in bushland without causing any problems for people. Introduced species of rats and mice are more likely to cause problems.
Our Pest Management Unit can help with vermin problems. Before reporting a vermin problem to us, please visit our Rodents page for more information. You may be able to solve the problem yourself using the information provided.
If you notice a problem with vermin in a public area or local business, or if you have a vermin problem that you are unable to solve, please report it to us. You can either:
REPORT VERMIN
Entertainment venues or events
Entertainment venues and events must operate under our local laws.
Depending on the size and frequency of the event, they may need to comply with laws to:
- ensure the noise level is reasonable (not make excessive noise)
- ensure the event does not run over time
- control littering and waste
- provide sufficient toilets and other amenities
- notify or support local residents
- control crowd and traffic issues
- manage the bump in and bump out processes.
If you believe that a venue or event is not operating under the law, please report the problem to us. You can either:
- report problems with entertainment venues or events online
- call us on 07 5667 5991.
REPORT ISSUES RESULTING FROM ENTERTAINMENT VENUES OR EVENTS
Illegal advertising
Advertising and signs are controlled by our local laws. These laws describe where advertising can be displayed and how big it can be. Most advertising must be approved before it is displayed.
Our local laws about advertising relate to all types of public advertising, including:
- business signs
- directional signs
- banners
- election signs
- footway signs
- garage sale signs
- real estate signs
- signs mounted on vehicles.
For more information about advertising, please see sections 6 and 7 of Subordinate Local Law No. 16.8 (Advertising Devices) 2016(PDF, 596KB)
If you believe that an advertisement or sign is illegal, please report it to us. You can either:
REPORT ILLEGAL ADVERTISING
Licences & permits for business and activities
Most businesses must have a licence to operate. Many activities in public areas, including busking and beach weddings, require a permit.
For more information about what businesses and activities need a permit or licence, please visit our Permits & licensing page.
Permits are required to carry out various activities on City land. Use the online form below to report activities being undertaken without a permit, including:
- alfresco dining without a permit
- itinerant vendors
- pedicabs
- roadside memorials
- busking
- vehicle sale or hire
- cycle on a footpath
- food or drink sampling
- public demonstration or address in a mall
- religious activity.
To report a problem about licences and permits, please either:
- report a problem about licences and permits online
- call us on 07 5667 5991.
REPORT ISSUES WITH LICENCES AND PERMITS
Roadways, malls & footway safety
Some activities conducted on roadways, malls and footways areas are regulated. This is because they might pose a risk to public health and safety
These activities may include:
- obstruction to roadways, malls or footway
- damage to roadways, malls or footway
- busking
- touting
- public demonstrations
- itinerant vending
- religious activity
- vehicle sale/hire
- street scaping
- cycles, skateboards, scooters, pedicabs
- non-compliant driveways.
To report a problem about activities on a roadway or footway, or in a mall, please either:
REPORT a problem on a roadway or footway, or in a mall