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Draft Fees and Charges for Commercial Activities and Group Use of Open Space

Project Overview

Feedback closes Sunday 17 May 2026

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

Following Council's adoption of the Commercial and Group Use of Public Open Space Policy, new fees and charges will apply to certain commercial activities and organised group use of Council-managed parks and reserves from 1 July 2026.

Feedback on the proposed fees and charges outlined below closes on 17 May 2026.

The proposed approach is designed to support fair access, effective management and ongoing maintenance of public open space, while ensuring everyday use by individuals and small groups remains free.

To support this, a permit and booking framework is proposed for commercial and group use of public open space, including:

  • commercial fitness training
  • commercial dog walking and dog training
  • commercial picnic services
  • ceremonies (including weddings and commitment ceremonies)
  • large private gatherings
  • regular use of parks by non‑government educational institutions

Casual and informal recreational use of parks will continue to be supported, with many smaller gatherings remaining free of charge.

Draft fees and charges

The draft fees and charges have been developed to:

  • ensure fair and equitable access to limited public open space
  • align fees with the scale and impact of activities
  • contribute to park maintenance and management
  • improve transparency and consistency across activities
  • reflect approaches used by comparable councils

Fees are proposed to vary by activity type, group size, duration and park category.

Category 1 Category 2 Category 3
Blues Point Reserve Anderson Park Forsyth Park
Bradfield Park (South) Balls Head Reserve Smoothy Park
Capt. Henry Waterhouse Reserve Berry Island St Leonards Park
Cremorne Point Reserve (West) Cremorne Point Reserve (East) Ted Mack Reserve
Dr Mary Booth Reserve Kesterton Reserve Tunks Park Foreshore
Henry Lawson Reserve Hodgson's Lookout
Clark Park Kurraba Point Reserve
Quibaree Park Sawmillers Reserve

Several parks will remain free for informal group gatherings of up to 60, including Anzac Park, Brennan Park, Green Park, Primrose Park, Milson Park, St Thomas Rest Park, Tunks Park (excluding the foreshore), Warringah Park, and Waverton Park.

All feedback received during the exhibition period will be reviewed and reported back to Council for consideration and endorsement.

An update will be published following Council’s consideration.

Proposed Fees & Charges

Category 1 applies to the most popular parks or reserves:

  • Blues Point Reserve
  • Bradfield Park (South)
  • Captain Henry Waterhouse Reserve
  • Cremorne Point Reserve (West)
  • Dr Mary Booth Reserve
  • Henry Lawson Reserve
  • Clark Park
  • Quibaree Park (Lavender Bay)
  • Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden
 USER CHARGE “CATEGORY 1 PARKS AND RESERVES” Period Fee Bond
Commercial Picnics - Space reserved. (Annual Permit Required
Event for a maximum of 2 People - Period booked must include set up and removal time Per 3 hours $70 No
Event for up to a Maximum of 10 people - Period booked to include set up and removal time Per 3 hours $200 No
Large Private Gatherings (excludes ceremonies)
Up to 21 people, no exclusive use of space   Free No
Up to 21 people with reserved space Per 3 hours $50 No
Up to 50 people with a mandatory reserved space Per 3 hours $200 $500
Up to 100 people with a mandatory reserved space Per 3 hours $500 $1,000
Waste bins Each bin $84  
Fee for cancellation within 24 hours of booking time   $100  
Ceremonies - Weddings, commitments, gender reveals, etc., Max 100 attendees
Reception held elsewhere - Period booked must include set up and removal time Per 3 hours $1,000 $1,000
Dinner at the location. Any food/drinks service. Period booked must include set-up and removal time Per 3 hours $2,000 $2,000
Waste Bins Each bin $88  
Fee for cancellation outside of 1 month of booking time   $100  
Commercial fitness trainers (annual permit required)
Up to 2 participants, excluding trainer/s Per 2 hours $10 No
Up to 10 participants, excluding trainer/s Per 2 hours $25 No
Up to 20 participants, excluding trainer/s Per 2 hours $50 No
Non-Government Education Institutions (annual permit required)
Each group (class) of 40 students of part thereof, excluding teachers Per hour $50  

 

The user charges for Category 2 apply to the following locations:

  • Anderson Park
  • Balls Head Reserve
  • Berry Island
  • Coal Loader Platform
  • Cremorne Point Reserve (East)
  • Kesterton Reserve
  • Hodgson's Lookout
  • Kurraba Point Reserve
  • Sawmillers Reserve 
USER CHARGE “CATEGORY 2 PARKS AND RESERVES” Period Fee Bond
Commercial Picnics - Space reserved. (Annual permit required)
Event for a maximum of 2 people - period booked must include set up and removal time Per 3 hours $50 No
Event for up to a maximum of 10 people - period booked to include set up and removal time Per 3 hours $150 No
Large private gatherings (excludes ceremonies)
Up to 21 people, no exclusive use of space   Free No
Up to 21 people with reserved space Per 3 hours $50 No
Up to 50 people with a mandatory reserved space Per 3 hours $120 $500
Up to 100 people with a mandatory reserved space Per 3 hours $300 $1,000
Waste Bins Each $88  
Fee for cancellation within 24 hours of booking time   $100  
Ceremonies - Weddings, commitments, gender reveals, etc. (Max 100 attendees)
Reception held elsewhere - period booked must include set up and removal time Per 3 hours $650 $1,000
Dining at the location. Any food/drinks service. Period booked must include set-up and removal time Per 3 hours $1,300 $2,000
Waste bins Each $88  
Fee for cancellation outside of 1 month of booking time   $100  
Commercial fitness trainers (Annual permit required)
Up to 2 participants, excluding trainer/s Per 2 hours $10 No
Up to 10 participants, excluding trainer/s Per 2 hours $25 No
Up to 20 participants, excluding trainer/s Per 2 hours $50 No
Non-Government education institution (Annual permit required)
Each group of 40 students or a part thereof, excluding teachers Per hour $50 No

 

Category 3 applies to the following locations:

  • Forsyth Park
  • Smoothy Park
  • St Leonards Park
  • Ted Mack Reserve
  • Tunks Park/Mortlock Reserve
USER CHARGE “CATEGORY 3 PARKS AND RESERVES” Period Fee Bond
Commercial Picnics - Space reserved
Event for a maximum of 2 people - period booked must include set up and removal time Per 3 hours $30 No
Event for up to a maximum of 10 people - period booked to include set up and removal time Per 3 hours $100 No
Large private gatherings (excludes ceremonies)
Up to 21 people, no exclusive use of space   Free No
Up to 21 people with reserved space Per 3 hours $30 No
Up to 50 people with a mandatory reserved space Per 3 hours $100 $500
Up to 100 people with a mandatory reserved space Per 3 hours $150 $1,000
Waste bins Each $84  
Fee for cancellation within 24 hours of booking time   $100  
Ceremonies - Weddings, commitments, gender reveals, etc. (Max 100 attendees)
Reception held elsewhere - Period booked must include set up and removal time Per 3 hours $300 $1,000
Dining at the location. Any food/drinks service. Period booked must include set-up and removal time Per 3 hours $800 $2,000
Waste bins Each $88  
Fee for cancellation outside of 1 month of booking time   $100  
Commercial Fitness Trainers (Annual permit required)
Up to 2 participants, excluding trainer/s Per 2 hours $10 No
Up to 10 participants, excluding trainer/s Per 2 hours $25 No
Up to 20 participants, excluding trainer/s Per 2 hours $50 No
Non-Government education institution (Annual permit required)
Each group of 40 students of part thereof, excluding teachers Per hour $50 No

 

Project Background

Why is the Council proposing fees and charges for Commercial and Group Use of Public Open Space?

North Sydney has limited open space and an increasing demand from a wide range of users.

We’re seeing:

  • more organised groups and commercial activity in parks
  • conflicts between users
  • increased wear and tear 

Council has adopted the Commercial and Group Use of Open Space Policy, which establishes a framework for managing competing uses and reducing impacts on amenity, access and park infrastructure.

The proposal aims to:

  • protect access for the broader community
  • reduce overcrowding and conflicts
  • ensure those who generate income from using the space contribute fairly to its upkeep

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

What won't change

  • Casual park use stays free
  • You can still meet friends, exercise or picnic as usual
  • Informal gatherings and small groups are not affected

  • Feedback - Draft Fees and Charges for Commercial Activities and Group Use of Open Space

    The purpose of the feedback form is to enable the community to provide valuable input on the Draft Fees and Charges for Commercial Activities and Group Use of Open Space within the North Sydney Council LGA. All feedback received will be considered and reported back to Council.

    You can provide feedback:

    • Online: by completing the online feedback form (see below)
    • Email: yoursay@northsydney.nsw.gov.au
    • Post: to North Sydney Council, PO Box 12, NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2059

    Please include ‘Proposed Open Space Fees and Charges’ in the subject line of all email or written feedback.

    All submissions in their entirety are made publicly available in the report to Council. Personal identifying information, and content which is discriminatory, hateful or which may defame, offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate will be redacted.

    Provide your feedback

Project Document Library

FAQ

No. Casual, everyday use of parks remains free.

No. Informal gatherings such as birthday parties can continue as normal.

You would only need to book if:

  • your group is large (more than 21 people), or
  • you want to reserve a specific space.

Several parks will remain free for informal group gatherings of up to 60, including

  • Anzac Park
  • Brennan Park
  • Green Park
  • Primrose Park
  • Milson Park
  • St Thomas Rest Park
  • TunksPark (excluding the foreshore)
  • Warringah Park
  • Waverton Park.

No. Non-commercial casual activities are not affected by the proposed fees and charges. 

We encourage the community to use our parks and open spaces. 

No. Small, informal gatherings do not require booking unless:

  • the group is large (21 people), or
  • you want a specific area of a park to be reserved.

Generally, groups of more than 21 people in Category 1, 2 & 3 parks are  considered large groups.

Other parks remain free for groups of up to 60 people.

You may need to book if you are looking to use a Council park or reserve listed as Category 1, 2 or 3 and:

  • your group is large (more than 21 people)
  • you want to reserve a specific area
  • you are running an organised or structured event
  • you are a business receiving income from any activity

Reserving a space means setting aside a specific area of a park for exclusive use for a set time.

Yes. It is proposed that some parks remain free for groups of up to 60 people, provided no space is reserved and the gathering remains informal.

Only parks and reserves listed in the categories will be subject to the fees and charges for the Commercial and Group Use of Public Open Space policy.

Yes. Many metropolitan councils already:

  • require permits or bookings for commercial or organised use of parks
  • charge fees for businesses and structured events
  • differentiate between casual community use (free) and exclusive or income‑generating use (charged)

North Sydney’s proposed framework aligns with approaches already in place in neighbouring councils such as Mosman, Inner West, Lane Cove and the City of Sydney.

The fees are draft only and will not be finalised until public feedback is reviewed and endorsed by Council.

The draft fees proposed vary depending on:

  • group size
  • activity type
  • location

As a guide:

  • small group bookings: around $30–$50
  • medium groups: around $100–$200
  • larger groups: up to $500 in higher‑demand parks

For a listing of all proposed fees and charges, please click on the Draft Fees and Charges Schedule in the Documents tool on this page.

Parks are grouped by popularity, demand and site sensitivity.

Higher‑demand parks, such as harbour foreshore locations, have higher proposed fees to help manage impacts and maintain access for the wider community.

Yes. Council welcomes feedback on:

  • the overall approach
  • specific fee levels
  • park groupings
  • how the proposal may affect you

You can provide feedback:

  • Online: by completing the online feedback form (see below)
  • Email: yoursay@northsydney.nsw.gov.au
  • Post: to North Sydney Council, PO Box 12, NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2059

Please include ‘Fees and charges for Public Open Space’ in the subject line of all email or written feedback.

The full Draft Fees and Charges Schedule is listed in the Council Report and the Draft Fees and Charges Schedule found in the Documents tool on this page.

Yes, this is proposed.

Organised events such as weddings or commitment ceremonies would require a booking, with fees depending on the park and size of the event.

Yes, this is proposed.

Businesses running paid fitness sessions in parks would need:

  • an annual permit, and
  • a small per‑session user charge.

Commercial dog walking or training businesses would be required to hold an annual permit.

Yes. Commercial picnic operators would require:

  • an annual permit, and
  • a booking for each event.

Regular and programmed use of parks by non‑government educational institutions is proposed to require:

  • an annual permit, and
  • a usage fee.

If adopted by Council, the proposed fees and charges would commence from 1 July 2026.

Only activities that require a permit or booking would be subject to enforcement.

Council Rangers may check bookings or permits where required.

Activities that require approval but occur without it may be subject to compliance action, in line with Council policy and legislation.

All feedback received during the exhibition period will be:

  • reviewed by Council staff, and
  • reported to the Council for consideration before a final decision is made.

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