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Council adopts revised Local Approvals Policy for Use of Public Land following strong community response

Bega Valley Shire Council has adopted a revised Local Approvals Policy for Use of Public Land at its meeting this week, incorporating significant changes in response to community feedback.

aerial view of Short Point merimbula.

Not for Profit organisations and charities will now be exempt from Use of Public Land fees.

25 June 2025

Bega Valley Shire Council has adopted a revised Local Approvals Policy for Use of Public Land at its meeting this week, incorporating significant changes in response to community feedback.

Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick said Councillors resolved to adopt the amended policy, backing a revised model that provides more support for community groups hosting events.

“We received 261 submissions and a petition with 371 signatures, most of which called for reduced or no fees for not-for-profit community events,” Mayor Fitzpatrick said.

“With the cost of living impacting everyone, including small businesses and sole traders, the feedback we received was that many community events simply wouldn’t go ahead as they wouldn’t be able to afford the proposed fees. 

“While we absolutely need to put a financial lens on all Council decisions, the benefits and impacts on the community—both economic and wellbeing—also had to be considered.

“The adopted policy now guarantees that events organised by registered charities and not-for-profit organisations are exempt from Use of Public Land application and event fees, even if there is an element of commercial gain such as a food van as part of the event.”

For events organised by commercial entities, a revised fee structure will apply with a $130 application processing fee, an event base rate of $140 and a charge of $29 per day for each commercial operator at the event.

“Maintaining our public spaces costs the community money, so it’s only fair that commercial entitles who are seeking to make a financial gain by using public space contribute to the upkeep and maintenance of those spaces.

“Lowering the proposed daily fee for commercial operators from $60 to $29 supports the ongoing viability of local events,” Mayor Fitzpatrick said.

“These events are often the heart of our towns and villages and we want to make sure they continue to thrive.

“It’s also important we maintain a fair and consistent approach for all users of public land, including commercial organisers who benefit financially.”

The revised policy also includes an updated list of prime sites for mobile food vending and clarifies that changes will only apply to events assessed under the Use of Public Land policy and not to those approved under Development Applications.

“This means the shire’s community markets in Bega, Candelo and Merimbula, for example, will not be affected by changes to the policy as these already operate under an approved DA,” Mayor Fitzpatrick said.

Council will contact everyone who made a submission to advise them of the adopted changes.

For more information, visit Council’s website: https://begavalley.nsw.gov.au/council/use-of-public-land

Making an enquiry

All media enquiries and interview requests are coordinated by Council's Communication and Engagement team under the adopted Communications Policy. To view this policy, visit Public Policies and search 'communications'.

To submit a media enquiry or to request an interview:

Councillors

Councillors can be contacted directly for enquiries regarding decisions of the elected Council and non-operational matters. Interviews with the Mayor should be arranged through the Communication and Engagement team contact details above.

Receiving information

If you’re a journalist or media organisation that would like to receive media releases and notifications about media opportunities, please email your name, title and contact details to [email protected] and we will add you to our distribution list.

You can also subscribe to Bega Valley Together and Business News, Council's fortnightly e-newsletters, or follow @begavalleyshirecouncil on Facebook  and Instagram.

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