Sydney council slashes proposed park fees after community backlash

A Sydney council could slash the proposed fees for holding weddings and events in public parks by hundreds of dollars after community outrage over a draft permit system.

North Sydney Council announced in March it would charge fees of up to $2000 for hosting weddings, gender reveal parties and pop-up picnics in public parks after July 1.

After public consultation, council officers have recommended scaling back some of the fees – including capping weddings at $1600 and private gatherings of more than 21 people at $200.

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Personal trainer permits will be wound back from $50 to $25 per session.

Flat annual fees of $300 will still be applied to commercial dog walkers, picnic operators and fitness trainers.

The council has also proposed delaying the fees until January 2027.

The tiered fee system received dozens of submissions during the public consultation period, prompting council officers to recommend the reduced charges.

North Shore MP Felicity Wilson argued that public parks should be free to enjoy and said ratepayers already fund the upkeep of their local area.

“At a time when household budgets are stretched, locals shouldn’t have to pay extra just to enjoy a picnic or birthday in their own neighbourhood park,” she said.

How do the fees work?

The proposed fees apply to any commercial or group use of 23 council-managed parks and reserves and will be charged in two or three-hour blocks.

This includes pop-up picnics, wedding ceremonies and receptions, gender reveal parties and social gatherings of more than 21 people.

Charges are laid out in three categories, depending on the level of demand.

The highest fees will be charged at popular harbourside locations Blues Point Reserve, Bradfield Park (South), Henry Lawson Reserve and Cremorne Point Reserve (West).

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Under the proposed system, a wedding ceremony held at any of the top-category locations will cost $1000 for three hours of use.

If the party is having a reception with food and drink served at the park, the original proposed fee jumped to $2000 for every three hours. It is now capped at $1600.

A commercial pop-up picnic will cost $70 for a maximum of two people.

This fee increases to $200 for groups up to 10 people.

Balls Head Reserve, Berry Island, Kurraba Point Reserve and Milson Park fall into category two, with wedding ceremonies at these parks to cost $650.

The cheapest fees will be charged for events or activities at Forsyth Park, Smoothy Park, St Leonards Park, Ted Mack Reserve and Tunks Park.

Wedding organisers hoping to have a ceremony at these locations will be slugged a $300 fee.

The council will charge between $84 and $88 for waste bins for larger events.

Some of the bigger events will require a bond.

Several parks in the council area will not be subject to the fees for informal gatherings of up to 60 people, such as Anzac Park, Waverton Park and Milson Park.

The council said the fees will ensure "fair and equitable access to limited public open space" and that the money will be used for park maintenance and management.

A spokesperson for North Sydney Council told nine.com.au that it has noticed an uptick in commercial use of the parks, conflicts between parties and "wear and tear" on the areas.

"North Sydney's parks and reserves are valued, in-demand, community spaces used every day for exercise, relaxation, gatherings and events," the spokesperson said.

"A demographic survey undertaken in August 2025 demonstrated 77 per cent of the community supported new and/or increased fees for commercial/large group park usage.

"Community feedback will help inform any refinements before council considers whether to adopt the proposed fees and charges."