North Sydney Council is considering putting a price on groups of over 20 people in public parks. The announcement has drawn outrage from residents and local community groups.

North Sydney

North Sydney Council is considering introducing a mandatory fee for group gatherings in public parks that exceed 20 people. The proposal would apply to events such as large picnics, school activities, and fitness classes, with local private schools and businesses potentially facing additional costs. 

The council's plan follows an unsuccessful attempt to increase rates and seeks to generate revenue for overdue projects, including the over-budget North Sydney Olympic pool. While the exact fee has not been determined, concerns have been raised about the practicality of enforcing the policy and its potential impact on community access to public spaces. Public consultation on the proposal is expected.

North Sydney Council considers charging for park gatherings

A picnic and play at the park could come at a greater cost as North Sydney Council looks to impose a fun tax on users. Rates around here don't come cheap so I would be a bit disappointed if they charged for say a kids party here in the park. Families having a picnic with 20 or so people are entitled to do that. It's public land. The plans would see a 20 person cap on group gatherings and for anything exceeding that a mandatory fee including for local private schools who use the free recreational spaces at recess and lunch. In a statement Sydney Catholic School says it already contributes to the community financially including a million dollars in development levies, an almost $200,000 tree bond and tens of thousands in park hire fees for student sport. But fitness classes using the space could also be forced to cough up cash. If me, the business owner, incurs a cost then I'm probably going to have to put that onto them and then maybe move people into different classes and unfortunately just have to sell some people no. The proposal comes just months after Council failed in its attempt to increase rates by 87% and sway local private schools to voluntarily pay an annual land usage fee and while the cost of the charges hasn't been set, it could bring in some much needed cash to push along well overdue projects. Including the North Sydney Olympic pool which is now three years and almost $70 million over budget. This policy is not going to be the entire windfall. If it was a revenue raiser they'd find some way to police it. People that are just going to try and get around the rules and then how the Council is going to try and police those guys, that's going to be a lot harder and they may end up spending more money than they're making. The consultation is expected to occur. Olivia Blunden, 10 News.

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