Smoking ceremonies

Smoking ceremonies

Cultural smoking ceremonies are permitted under certain conditions. Permission is required and procedures are in place to make sure that ceremonies are conducted safely to protect Kings Park and Botanic Garden and our visitors.

Plant material is to be provided by BGPA as we cannot permit foreign plant material to be brought into Kings Park. Please contact the bookings officer to ensure plant material is available.

There are four locations where smoking ceremonies are permitted: 

  • Beedawong Meeting Place
  • Kaarta Garup Lookout
  • Saw Avenue Amphitheatre
  • Yorkas Nyinning (limestone pad)

Conditions

For fire safety and conservation reasons, approved smoking ceremonies must be conducted under the following conditions:

  • The weather conditions on the day will determine if your smoking ceremony can go ahead. If there is a Total Fire Ban in place, extreme weather conditions forecast or a direct instruction from Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) not to proceed, the ceremony cannot go ahead. 

It is your responsibility to ensure you adhere to the fire restrictions as large fines may apply from BGPA or DFES.

An exemption may be obtained through DFES. More information is provided below.

  • Ceremonies will only be permitted in approved areas. 
  • Plant material will be provided by BGPA, on approval of your application. Plant material will be marri and peppermint, other materials may be available depending on the season. No plant material can be brought in from outside of the park.
  • Materials must be within a metal container of no less than 10 litres capacity. 
  • A minimum of 20 litres of water and two working portable fire extinguishers must be present.
  • Contact details of the person conducting the smoking ceremony must be included on the application form. 
  • All materials used will be disposed of by BGPA.
  • DFES are to be advised prior to the event (minimum 30 minutes, up to 24 hours prior) to the DFES communications centre on (08) 9395 9209.
  • Ceremonies being held during periods of restricted burning (2 November to 30 April) or prohibited burning (15 December to 31 March) or if there is likely to be a Total Fire Ban declared for the City of Perth, event organisers or Elders conducting the ceremony (must have a registered ABN) are required to seek appropriate exemptions from DFES. 

Exemption Notices can take up to six weeks to process. 

More information is available on the DFES website Total fire ban - Department of Fire and Emergency Services (dfes.wa.gov.au) (scroll down for Exemptions), or contact Exemption Enquiries: exemptions@dfes.wa.gov.au or 08 9395 9911.

If you wish to hold a smoking ceremony in Kings Park and Botanic Garden, please complete and submit the application form.