Tweed Shire Council is updating its Community Markets on Public Land Policy to reflect recent changes to planning legislation, with the draft policy now open for community feedback. Market operators, residents and local businesses are invited to review the proposed updates and provide feedback until 28 April 2026.
Recent amendments to planning legislation mean some market activities, generally on public land, no longer require a Development Application (DA). Under the updated policy, these markets would instead be managed through site-specific terms and conditions. This approach is intended to provide greater flexibility for market operators while maintaining appropriate Council oversight.
The policy review also proposes changes to how fees are calculated for markets held on Council-owned land. Rather than a flat fee, a percentage-based fee structure is proposed so that contributions more accurately reflect the size and income of individual markets. This approach aims to provide a fairer and more scalable model for cost recovery.
Minor updates have also been made throughout the policy to improve clarity, consistency and ease of use.
The Community Markets on Public Land Policy outlines how markets on public land are managed and sets expectations for market operators, including operational requirements and guiding principles. The policy supports markets that are safe, inclusive, sustainable and aligned with community needs.
Tweed Shire Council - Manager Building and Environmental Health, Iain Lonsdale, said the update ensures Council's approach to managing community markets on public land remains current and responsive.
"Recent NSW planning reforms have changed how certain markets are approved, and this update ensures our policy reflects those changes while maintaining clear expectations for how markets operate on Council land," Mr Lonsdale said.
"We're keen to hear from market operators and the wider community before the policy is finalised."
Community members can view the draft policy and make a submission via Council's engagement platform, Your Say Tweed website at yoursaytweed.com.au/markets-policy until 4pm Tuesday 28 April 2026.
