A Sydney firm is proposing to allow up to 500 people at a time to attend a show-like fun fair at the Orange Showgrounds in three weeks time.
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An application to hold the Orange Fun Fair on September 19-20 is being considered by Orange City Council.
Ace Attractions, an event management team, runs the Sydney Fun Fair which is described on its website as a pop-up event featuring rides, amusements, games, showbags and food similar to what is found at agricultural shows.
The event would run from 11am-6pm both days.
Council has faced increasing public pressure against approving organised events inviting outsiders from Sydney to occur in Orange.
- Orange City Council report
The promoter is also planning to run an event in Bathurst the week before the Orange event.
In the application to council the organisers state the event will comply with coronavirus rules.
"We are following all current NSW Health guidelines as per the amusement centre category updated on July 2020," it said.
Measures include having only entrance and exit.
Numbers, excluding staff, will be limited to 500 people.
Tickets will be sold via an online booking system, but if they don't sell out, will be available at the gate.
A report to council by staff said the approval process for events needed clarification.
"There is an increasing number of applications to host an event on council owned and/or managed land. These events include food and non-food market events," it said.
It recommends locally-run events be evaluated by staff who could decide whether to approve them.
However, it is proposing external events be decided differently.
"It is proposed that applications from external organisers of events (those from outside the Orange region) will be submitted to council for a decision while current COVID-19 restrictions are in place," it said.
If that is approved council will decide the Orange Fun Fair application at its meeting on Tuesday night.
The report said there was a community opposition to some events.
"Council has faced increasing public pressure against approving organised events inviting outsiders from Sydney to occur in Orange," it said.
"Under the current policy the councillors would not have the opportunity to see an application or have input into the determination as this is delegated to staff through the policy.
"Given the contentious nature of these approvals under current restrictions, staff are seeking a position through a formal resolution from council on who should approve these events."
The Orange Show was not held this year due to the coronavirus restrictions.
The show committee is hoping to hold the event next year, allowing for an easing of social distancing rules.
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