ORANGE City council has no plans to follow their Bathurst counterparts in banning barbecues at some public spaces.
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School, community and sporting groups in Bathurst received letters last month informing them the canteen at Bathurst Sportsground is only equipped for the sale of pre-packaged foods and the cooking of any food in the canteen, including barbecues on the concrete verandah of the facility’s amenity building, is prohibited.
The letter went on to say following concerns raised by community members, council’s health inspectors will commence regular inspections at the grounds when events are being held and non compliance may result in fines being issued and the canteen being closed during a scheduled event.
Orange council’s manager of corporate and community relations Nick Redmond said Orange won’t be following suit.
“The council has no plans to limit barbecues at community events,” Mr Redmond said.
“The council provides resources on its website encouraging people who run barbecues at community events to be aware of the important issues around hygiene.”
The news will come as a relief to a host of Orange sporting clubs and organisations who fill their fundraising coffers via game-day sausage sizzles at sporting events at Wade Park, the PCYC netball courts and other grounds across the city.
The policy regarding the use of barbecue facilities in other public parks and spaces in Orange remains unchanged.
A spokesperson for Bathurst Regional Council said the ruling was based on long-standing requirements and temporary food stalls, which includes barbecues, can still operate at the facility provided they meet all legislative requirements.
Bathurst St Pat’s Junior Rugby League club president Leanne Ashcroft said the club was able to continue the sausage sizzle by setting up a temporary marquee.
“Luckily as a club we already had the marquee, so all we had to get were a few extension leads” she said.