Charity markets cancelled

Local charity markets had to be cancelled due to the council’s requirement of a $700 permit.
Market coordinator Eileen Wyatt said the newly formed markets were held in November and February, and were scheduled for April 2, to raise funds to help keep the Pratten Hall operating.
However, she recently became aware that the Southern Downs Regional Council required market organisers to have a permit to operate and therefore had to cancel the April markets since they couldn’t afford the necessary $700.
“I wanted to have the markets every two months. Markets are such a good community event,” she said.
“I thought it would be different for charity. It’s only a permit, it’s
not insurance. I didn’t realise it would be so expensive.”
Southern Downs Regional Council manager of planning services Annette Doherty said the permit was basically a development permit for temporary use of that land, which was cheaper than if it was assessed as commercial use.
“In the case of community organisations, we do offer that they can apply to the council to have that fee (permit fee) donated back to them,” Ms Doherty said.
“It’s not unusual that we receive that type of request and the council in the past has approved them,” she said.
“It is still subject to the council agreeing to it.”
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