Pop-up picnic business owners speak up about ‘frustrating’ Gold Coast City Council park fees

“We’re putting all this money and effort into it and the council is making a fortune off us for what? They're not helping small businesses in the slightest and there’s no communication.”

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POP-UP picnic business owners are frustrated they are being slugged more than $100 for every event they set up, yet personal trainers using the city’s public parks only pay an annual fee of $223.

Picnic providers say they’re charged $108 for a three-hour timeslot at Burleigh Heads and $35 for less popular parks such as Paradise Point and Budd’s Beach, and that they don’t get a refund from the Gold Coast City Council for cancellations.

Gold Coast Pop Up Picnics owner Kyla Asmussen.

Gold Coast Pop Up Picnics owner Kyle Asmussen is a single parent who works two jobs during the week and sets up boutique picnics during the weekend.

“It’s so frustrating because we’ve had a few cancellations at Burleigh Heads recently because of the weather and had to refund the person their money, but we don’t get this back,” she said.

A picnic set up by Gold Coast Pop Up Picnics.

“And then if someone cancels an event on Saturday and wants to rebook for Sunday we have no way of getting hold of the council on the weekend to get a permit and then risk a $677 fine.

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“We also get many last-minute picnic inquiries that we have to turn down due to approval of council and this means we often miss out on a $300 booking.”

Ms Asmussen said she passed the $108 Burleigh Heads fee on to customers but paid the $35 herself when setting up in other parks.

“We’re also competing with backyard operators who don’t apply for permits … and so can offer $150 picnics,” she said.

Another picnic set up by Gold Coast Pop Up Picnics.

“We’re happy to pay a one-off fee and believe a booking system should be set up so a limited amount of spots are available at each site. We understand they don’t want 50 picnic ladies at Burleigh Hill every weekend.”

Ms Asmussen said picnic providers left parks in better condition than they found them.

“We’re putting all this money and effort into it and the council is making a fortune off us for what? They're not helping small businesses in the slightest and there’s no communication.”

Lindy Smith, of All About Picnics, said three hours was not enough time because after the set up and set down guests usually only had one-and-a-half-hours to enjoy their picnic.

Ms Smith said it was also unclear whether she could transfer a booking to another person if someone cancelled or if she had to apply for a fresh permit.

A picnic set up by All About Picnics.

“We’re all told different things from council staff.”

A city spokeswoman said anyone who conducted a commercial venture in a public park must submit a park booking. Officers then assess applications and issue permits.

She said park bookings were $108, with bookings at the botanic gardens costing $277. Those without a permit could be fined $667.

As for commercial fitness providers, they must apply for permits but these are issued annually from September 1 to August 31 and cost $223.

The spokeswoman said operators must submit an individual booking for each gathering and said timeslots were three hours to ensure fair and equitable park access.

“The Parks Usage Policy is currently under review and will be brought back to full council later in 2021,” she said.

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Originally published as Pop-up picnic business owners speak up about ‘frustrating’ Gold Coast City Council park fees