As we get organised for the events we’re hosting this year at Community Connect South Shoalhaven (CCSS), we’re spending a lot of time tightening up our planning systems. Like many community organisations, we’re always on the lookout for clear, practical templates and tools that make event planning easier for staff and volunteers.
Recently, we came across the Coffs Coast “Plan My Event” resource, and it’s one of the most comprehensive free guides we’ve seen. It walks you step-by-step through the full event journey – from scoping your event and building a budget, through to risk and crowd management, permits, promotion and post-event evaluation.
The guide is supported by a wide range of downloadable templates, including event management plans, budgets, timelines, risk assessments and checklists.
While some sections are specific to the Coffs Coast (and local DA and permit requirements will differ), the tools and templates are highly transferable. For Shoalhaven-based events, we recommend connecting directly with Shoalhaven City Council to confirm local approvals and requirements.
We’ll be drawing on these resources as we plan our upcoming events and wanted to share them with others who may find them helpful too.