Council
16 February, 2026
Busking on the agenda as Council kicks off 2026
Under the proposed new ‘Busking Terms and Conditions’, buskers will be required to hold a valid Busking Permit and be covered by Public Liability Insurance while performing on Council land.
Wingecarribee Shire Council will hold its first meeting of the year on Tuesday (February 18).
The public forum will commence at 2.30pm in the Council Chambers at Moss Vale and will be followed by the first Ordinary Meeting for 2026 at 3.30pm.
There appears to be little in the business papers likely to provoke robust debate – although councillors may be keen to put their verbal jousting skills to good use after the Christmas-New Year break.
One of the items up for discussion is a draft busking policy designed to provide a “clear and consistent framework for the management of busking activities across the Wingecarribee”.
Under the proposed new ‘Busking Terms and Conditions’, buskers will be required to hold a valid Busking Permit and be covered by Public Liability Insurance while performing on Council land.
Buskers will be able to get Public Liability Insurance through Council for a tiered fee – or alternatively hold their own insurances at their own cost.
Staff say the financial impact on buskers will vary depending on their requirement for Public Liability Insurance through Council and the length of coverage they require.
“For example, if a busker were to require Council Public Liability Coverage and were to perform once per month over the course of a year, their total fee due to Council would be $125,” a report prepared for Tuesday night’s meeting states.
“This equates to them paying $10.42 per busking performance.
“Alternatively if a busker were to require Council Public Liability Insurance coverage and were to perform more regularly, such as once per week, instead of once per month, it would cost them $2.40 per performce”. Busking permits will be valid for a year and will cost $20.
Under the policy, Council will approve standard sites that have been assessed as suitable for busking activity.
Approved sites have already been identified in Bowral (Corbett Plaza), Berrima (in front of the Cottage Café), Mittagong (between Mittabrew Café and Capital Chemist), Moss Vale (Leighton Gardens) and Bundanoon (outside the Soldiers Memorial Hall).
Busking times for each location will be site specific and will be determined in consultation with any businesses that may be impacted.
The policy will apply to musicians and anyone else performing in exchange for a donation from members of the public including dancers, jugglers, puppeteers, storytellers and poets.
The staff recommendation is for Council to place the Busking Policy and associated Terms and Conditions on exhibition for a month.
They say it will set expectations for performers and the community, support town and village activation and ensure Council meets its responsibilities in terms of regulating the use of public spaces.
Under the Terms and Conditions busking will be open to people over the age of 16.
Buskers under the age of 18 will require a signed consent form from their parent and will need to be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times whilst performing.
Buskers such as clowns and puppeteers who are performing primarily for children will need to provide a valid Working with Children Check.
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