Charging schools to use public parks can undermine community partnerships. But there’s a better way

North Sydney Council will undermine community partnerships if it goes ahead with its plan to charge schools to use its public parks. Instead, it could work towards reciprocal access with the community able to use school spaces.

North Sydney Council recently endorsed a policy that introduces fees for school use of public parks along with commercial use of these spaces. Groups of more than 21 people, including schools, will be asked to pay for what until now has been considered a public good.

Council