Pictures in parks

Press, 25 August 1988, Page 20

Pictures in parks

Sir, — I, too, am amazed at how the City Council can- charge photographers, either professional or not, for the use of a public facility funded by ratepayers. On the other hand, it seems quite prepared to give the use of another council facility to a private money-making scheme — the Tuam Street car park for a car fair operation on Sundays. This particular enterprise, in my opinion, infringes on L.M.V.D. traders who have to abide by rules and by-laws set by the City Council. — Yours, etc.,

JOHN ELLIS. August 16, 1988.

[The deputy general manager (parks), Mr R. J. Dally, replies: “In a recent (1987) Court of Appeal decision relating to the private use of public assets, Judge Casey made the following observation: ‘I think when it is authorised to charge a fee for the use of its assets, the board is entitled — and indeed expected — to generate revenue in order to conduct its affairs.' It is perhaps appropriate to clarify the matter of 'pictures in parks.’ The following fees were determined in July: Wedding ceremonies held within a reserve are

required to pay a minimum fee of $3O which covers administration costs, ranger services and the allocation of specific areas; professional photographers pay a $l5O permit fee which allows them to operate commercially within the gardens and other reserves administered by the council on an annual basis. (These fees were discussed with this group prior to implementation.) What has been implemented is a fee that allows groups to pre-book certain areas with some exclusivity, thus preventing conflict of interest with other park users. Conflict has occurred in the past, as have damage and litter problems. A similar analogy would be for groups to hire a council hall or other public facility for which charges are also made. It has never been this council’s intention to charge for wedding photographs taken by family or friends where no commercial or semi-commercial photography is engaged. Similarly, the general public and tourists will continue to have the right to engage in photography in any reserve. At the August 15 meeting the council voted to rescind the $2O fee for semi-commercial photography by amateurs. While the council has the ability and the need to responsibly manage public assets, it does have a flexible financial policy. Rentals or fees may be waived under certain circumstances, such as charitable functions, Telethon venues, etc. The Tuam Street car park effectively has the rental fee waived. The organisers of the fair pay 15 per cent of their gross takings to charity in lieu of rental to the council.”]