The council giveth

I went to a streetparty meeting on Wednesday evening and was reminded once again of why I no longer enjoy that activity.  The reason is well and truly the Brisbane City Council and their stupid petty yet all controlling rules and regulations.

The issue tonight was that the council is requiring us to have a footpath closure permit.

Get this, we are closing the entire street and now the council want yet another application submitted for closing the footpath.  And its not free.  Oh no.  $117 plus $3.20 per square meter.

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/laws-permits/roads-footpaths/footway-fees-charges/index.htm

I guess the council would say, well we give you money so you can deal with our regulations and charges.

We have decided to move the stall holders onto the road.

I just can not believe that this permit even exists let alone being applied to a festival where the entire precinct is closed to traffic.

Let us remember:-

• Absolute power corrupts absolutely
• The golden rule - He who has the gold makes the rules and
• Regulation stifles innovation.

21-9-2011
Another example - Apparantly if one is going to collect doations at this festival or any other festival one has to have tamper proof bucket to collect the money.  Now that is all well and good but why does the government need to be involved.  If we as a festival have sloppy procedures and someone nicks the money then surely that should be our problem.  Why do we need the government involved?