September 2025
In New South Wales, events that impact local roads or traffic are classified by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) into four categories. These NSW event classifications determine the level of planning, permits, and traffic management required. Whether you are organising a major city festival, a community parade, or a local film shoot, knowing your event’s classification is essential to securing approvals and ensuring safe road use.
Class 1 – Major Impact Events
Class 1 events have a state or region-wide impact on traffic flow and require the most extensive planning.
Examples: City2Surf, Vivid Sydney, New Year’s Eve celebrations in Sydney.
What’s required:
Liaison with local council and NSW Police
A Special Event Transport Management Plan
Formal lodgement to Transport for NSW
Planning Timeline: Minimum 4 months before the event.
Class 2 – Local Impact Events
Class 2 events mainly affect local traffic networks without broader state disruption.
Examples: Local fun runs, charity walks, town parades.
What’s required:
Notification of affected stakeholders
Approval through the local council
Planning Timeline: 1-2 months before the event
Class 3 – Minor Impact Events
Class 3 events have a low impact and usually affect only small sections of local roads.
Examples: School fetes, small street activations, minor community gatherings.
What’s required:
Liaison with local council and NSW Police
Planning Timeline: 3-6 months before the event
Class 4 – Minor Impact Events
Common for TV/film shoots using kerbside only
May require:
Planning Timeline: 1-2 weeks
When it comes to Crowd Protection and Temporary Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM), security, mobility and speed matter. The Pitagone F-11 and F-18 barriers are redefining how leading Sydney security providers like CATO Group (previously CATO Location Services) safeguard major events, pedestrian zones and high-traffic public spaces across Sydney.
In New South Wales, events that impact local roads or traffic are classified by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) into four categories. These NSW event classifications determine the level of planning, permits, and traffic management required. Whether you are organising a major city festival, a community parade, or a local film shoot, knowing your event’s classification is essential to securing approvals and ensuring safe road use.
The Sydney Marathon made history in 2025, hosting 35,000 participants and welcoming more than 300,000 spectators to the city in what is now the largest marathon event in the Southern Hemisphere. As the event celebrated its first year as an Abbott World Major, CATO Group was proud to play a pivotal role in ensuring its success, delivering a seamless mix of traffic control, security services, and hostile vehicle mitigation solutions across the 42km course.
