These Sydney private school students can play in parks for free. That’s about to change

2 weeks ago 7

Some of Sydney’s top private schools could be forced to pay to use public parks and ovals for student recess and lunchtime exercise, as a cash-strapped council investigates generating extra revenue from outdoor recreational areas and picturesque foreshore reserves.

For the first time, North Sydney Council is considering introducing a new fee system that would result in groups of 21 people or more having to pay to use public parks, to rein in the unregulated use of outdoor areas by private schools and commercial operators, including personal trainers and dog walking businesses.

St Aloysius’ College in Kirribilli would be impacted by North Sydney Council’s proposed fee.

The wide-reaching policy would impact some of the lower north shore’s top private schools, including St Aloysius’ College in Kirribilli which uses Bradfield Park under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, for student lunchtime breaks and for some sports activities.

Marist College in North Sydney currently uses Ted Mack Civic Park for student recess and lunch breaks, due to a shortage of on-school playing space, prompted by the ongoing redevelopment works of its campus.

While the exact cost of the proposed charges are yet to be determined, the fee system could generate much-needed income for North Sydney Council as it grapples with ongoing budgetary challenges fuelled by the escalating costs of the North Sydney Olympic Pool redevelopment.

In May, the council’s application to increase residential rates by 87 per cent was rejected by the independent pricing regulator.

North Sydney Mayor Zoe Baker says the proposed fee system is about fair use of public spaces.

North Sydney Mayor Zoe Baker insisted the new fee policy for parks was not about “revenue raising” or “budget repair” – but rather ensuring “fairness” and “equity” is applied to the use of public facilities.

She said the fee system would address a rising number of complaints from residents about parks and ovals being monopolised by commercial operators and turned into alternative “student playgrounds” during school periods.

“These are public facilities, and it’s only fair that schools and other operators using these facilities contribute to the community they’re operating in,” Baker said.

The proposed fee system comes just months after the council failed in its attempt to encourage private schools within the local government area to voluntarily pay annual rates to the council.

Baker had even sent letters to all local schools encouraging them to make the voluntary payments, however the majority of private schools – which are currently exempt from paying council rates under state legislation – sent letters declining.

A spokesman for Sydney Catholic Schools – in a statement on behalf of Marist College – did not say whether the school would support the council’s proposed fee system for parks, but noted the school already contributes financially to the community and was “committed to working with the council and local businesses to share school resources”.

The council’s proposed fee policy would also include new charges for private operators using public parks including personal trainers, commercial dog walkers and organisers of pop-up picnics and wedding ceremonies.

A report by the council stated the commercial usage of outdoor areas was a particular problem in foreshore areas with users “hogging” space, playing loud music and blocking car parking spaces.

The fees would apply to public spaces operated by North Sydney Council, including Bradfield Park.

The policy would also include a ban on the use of marquees, tents, confetti, uncooked rice, synthetic flower petals and coloured powders used during weddings and other events on public land.

The move has met with mixed reactions from some wedding operators with celebrant Orna Binder labelling the proposed system a “cash grab”.

“If fees are charged I’ll be telling my clients to get married somewhere else because these are public areas – they should be free for everyone,” she said.

But Aaron Hall, who oversees marriage proposal events, said he was “not surprised” the council was considering a crackdown.

Confetti and rice would be banned during outdoor weddings in public parks under the North Sydney Council proposal.

“Whenever I have a booking, I’m very mindful of noise and rubbish, but unfortunately, there are a handful of operators that are causing a lot of the issues, particularly around rubbish not being cleaned up. That’s what’s led to the frustration,” he said.

Fees charged by other councils for wedding events include up to $1019 in Mosman, $309 in Lane Cove, $327 hourly fees in Woollahra, and $483 in the Northern Beaches.

A handful of councils also charge personal trainers and commercial dog walkers for using public parks including Lane Cove (up to $2400) and Ryde (up to $2100 for fitness events in outdoor areas).

Consultation on North Sydney Council’s proposed fee policy is expected to be held before a final decision is made by councillors at a later date.

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