One of Australia’s most sought-after suburban park networks, located in North Sydney, New South Wales, is moving toward implementing a new tiered fee structure for organized private and commercial events held on public green space, a policy crafted to address growing overuse, community access conflicts, and rising maintenance costs.
Famous for its postcard-perfect harbourside landscapes that draw thousands of visitors and event planners annually, North Sydney’s parks have become one of the region’s most popular locations for social media-friendly gatherings, from wedding receptions to viral gender reveals and curated commercial pop-up picnics. The new proposal, unveiled by North Sydney Council, would require event hosts to pay scaled fees depending on the location of the park and the size and type of gathering, while keeping casual informal use and small community gatherings free of charge for local residents.
In a statement released alongside the draft plan, a North Sydney Council spokesperson explained the rationale behind the proposed fee structure. “North Sydney’s parks and reserves are valued in-demand, community spaces used every day for exercise, relaxation, gatherings and events,” 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 remain free. Casual and informal recreational use of parks will continue to be supported, with many smaller gatherings remaining free of charge.”
Under the draft framework, all public parks and open spaces managed by the council will be sorted into three pricing categories based on popularity and scenic value. The highest-demand tier, labeled Category 1, includes iconic locations such as Copes Lookout, Captain Henry Waterhouse Reserve and Cremorne Point Reserve. Fees for events in these top-tier spaces reach as high as $2,000 for wedding dinners with up to 100 guests, while wedding receptions in the same parks are priced at $1,000. Smaller private gatherings of up to 21 people that require a reserved space will incur a $50 fee.
The policy also extends beyond private social events. Commercial dog walkers will be required to pay an annual $300 licensing fee to use the parks, organized exercise groups will face stricter rules and new charges, and non-government schools will pay fees for school outings held on council parkland. A number of lower-demand parks, including Anzac Park, Brennan Park and Green Park, will remain free for informal gatherings of up to 60 people under the proposal.
The council notes that the change comes after years of rising demand for organized events and commercial activity in public green space, which has led to growing conflicts between different user groups and accelerated wear and tear on park infrastructure. North Sydney faces a geographic limitation on available public open space, a problem exacerbated by the area’s growing population. All revenue generated from the new fees will be reinvested directly into ongoing park maintenance and infrastructure upgrades to preserve the green spaces for future use.
If the draft plan receives final council approval, rangers will be tasked with enforcing the new rules, ensuring all organized events obtain the required permits and pay applicable fees before taking place. The new structure is scheduled to go into effect on July 1 if approved. The full draft plan, including the complete list of park categories and all proposed fees, is available for public review and comment at yoursay.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/fees-charges-open-space.