North Sydney Council to charge commercial groups for using open space
North Sydney Council will begin charging for commercial and group use of public open space with a new booking system effective from 1 October 2026 and charges to apply from 1 January 2027.
Council endorsed draft fees and charges for Commercial and Group Use of Open Space for public exhibition earlier this year, attracting 81 submissions.
According to council, the feedback ‘highlighted support for user-pays approach for commercial activities, and strong support for keeping casual community use free of charge.’ Concerns included impact on small business and affordability, and that the perception might be that the proposal is revenue raising.
Councillor Jessica Keen voted against the motion and told NL that she was concerned about the impact of the charges on smaller businesses.
“There should be exemptions for small businesses,” Cr Keen said. “When it’s a big event with a marquee and 300 people on the foreshore, it’s a different story.
But for smaller businesses trying to earn a living, we’ve got to take that into account.
“When it’s a small business and they’re just sitting on the foreshore, they turn up, they set up, they clean up and they’re gone.”
Paige Montgomery, local resident and owner of Poppin Picnics, agreed with Cr Keen, and spoke on the issue at the Public Forum prior to the council meeting on 29 June, saying that a fee per head ‘didn’t raise the standards or protect the parklands.’
“It pushes people away from the professionals that guarantee that the park will be left spotless,” she said. “Don’t punish the responsible majority for a careless few.”
Local resident Ange Teulon is a marriage celebrant and owner of Simple Ceremonies based at Milsons Point. She said at the public forum that the pricing was excessive compared to some other local government areas.
“The impact on couples, small businesses and the broader community has not been adequately considered,” she said.
Under the new framework, personal trainers will pay $10 per two-hour session for up to six participants, and $25 for between seven and 20 participants. Commercial picnics will cost $15 per person for three hours in a Category 1 or high profile space such as Bradfield Park, but free in Category 3.
Council will reduce the maximum number of people permitted for ceremonies, including weddings, to 60 people. Charges will vary depending on number of attendees, if equipment is used, and whether dining will take place on site or elsewhere and whether the site is a Category 1, 2 or 3 space.
High impact ceremonies with dining on site for up to 60 people with event infrastructure will pay $1,600 plus $1,000 bond for three hours in a category 1 space. There will be no charge for low impact ceremonies of up to a maximum of 15 people (including attendees, facilitators, celebrants), with no equipment or event infrastructure, no catering, and no interference with other park users. Private use for up to 21 people will be free of charge.
Revenue collected from the charges will contribute towards an internal reserve for the purpose of open space renewal projects, and fees will be reviewed on an annual basis.
For more detailed information on fees, visit council’s website.