At a time where local event organisers' hopes are getting dashed left right and centre, there is some light as council plans to slash red tape instead.
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Tamworth Regional Council looks set to approve changes to the Temporary Event Planning Proposal at its ordinary council meeting on Tuesday.
This will effectively eliminate the need for time-consuming development applications for low impact events.
Dianne Harris, one organiser of Tamworth's Pride Fair Day, lamented the cancellation of this year's pride event while praising the move from council to "streamline" any future events she or others seek to hold.
It is daunting when you look at the approvals to hold an event, and you end up thinking 'will I, won't I'.
- Dianne Harris
"It is daunting when you look at the approvals to hold an event, and you end up thinking 'will I, won't I'," she said.
If council votes to approve changes, it's hoped more people lean towards "I will".
Especially for things like market stalls, community fundraising activities, concerts or other activities that are open to the public.
"I think this will streamline the process for sure, and although I enjoy working with council on proposals so that we get it right ... it will definitely make it easier," Ms Harris said.
"While we have the date in October 2021 locked in already, we are hoping to have some smaller events in the lead up, if we can with the pandemic."
Parks, gardens, playgrounds and sporting fields will "be enjoyed by more people, more often", council believes.
The public exhibition period ended on July 6, with not one single submission made by the public.
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Stakeholders weighed in though, with the Rural Fire Service requesting events that involved overnight stays or camping be excluded.
Council assured them these kinds of events would still be subject to the development assessment process.
Nor will the changes result in traffic flow and parking problems, with council assuring Transport for NSW (TfNSW) they had it covered.
Council's Event Booking Form already sorted those potential complications out efficiently, the report states.
TfNSW also asked how council would ensure these events wouldn't damage the environment or public facilities without the development consent.
Council agreed to change the wording of the proposal in response to their concerns, to ensure any event didn't generate significant impacts on "the environment or public amenity".
Transport for NSW responded in writing, accepting council's responses with no further concerns.
