Residents in North Sydney will have to pay to use public parks for large gatherings, commercial picnics and dog walking businesses under a controversial council proposal set to begin on July 1.
North Sydney Council has proposed a new fee structure for organised and commercial use across more than 20 parks and reserves in the local government area, with the plan due to go to a vote next month.
The council plans to charge for certain events and celebrations including weddings, commitment ceremonies, gender reveals and other large private gatherings.
Under the draft charges, published on the North Sydney Council website, fees could exceed $2,000 for a three-hour booking in high demand harbourfront parks.
Professional dog walkers would also be required to pay a $300 annual permit fee.
Groups larger than 21 people may also be required to pay booking fees ranging from $30 to $500 depending on the location and size of the gathering.
The proposed fees would apply to sites including Bradfield Park South, Cremorne Point Reserve West, Balls Head Reserve, Blues Point Reserve, Clark Park, Quibaree Park in Lavender Bay and Forsyth Park.
Local pop-up picnic business owner Vicki Ryvchin told the ABC the charges would not only affect her business, but the wider industry, warning the fees could “kill an entire industry”.
Ms Ryvchin, who runs picnics for celebrations like baby showers, could soon pay up to $70 for an event with a maximum of two people for three hours, or more depending on the size of the group and location.
“We’re happy to pay a higher annual fee and prove our public liability year-on-year… but it’s the per-event charges that are completely unreasonable and unjustified,” she said.
North Sydney mayor Zoë Baker has defended the proposal, saying the charges were necessary to better manage limited public open space amid increasing demand.
“I can understand some individual commercial operators can be upset that they’re no longer getting the use of that public open space for free,” she told the ABC.
Ms Baker said the new charges were forecast to generate close to $200,000 annually, though the revenue would still fall well short of the amount needed to maintain North Sydney’s public open spaces.
The mayor said the policy would bring North Sydney in line with neighbouring councils including Mosman Council and Lane Cove Council, while also helping explore new revenue streams.
The council also reasoned the proposal is in part with the significant number of ongoing complaints about the strain on public parks from commercial dog walkers, fitness groups, private picnics and weddings.
The fee proposal follows the adoption of North Sydney Council’s Commercial and Group Use of Public Open Space Policy in March.
In a statement to SkyNews.com.au, North Sydney Council said the proposed changes were needed to manage growing demand on public parks and help cover maintenance costs.
“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 July 1,” the spokesperson said.
“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.”
According to the council’s website, casual everyday use of parks would remain free under the broader policy, while some lower-demand parks would continue allowing informal gatherings of up to six people without permits or charges.
A demographic survey conducted by the council in August 2025 found 77 per cent of respondents supported new or increased fees for commercial and large group park use.