25 August 2023
By James Mullan
A Kirribilli cafe has been fined $180 by North Sydney Council for displaying a A frame sign on the sidewalk, a move which has infuriated the cafe owner and locals alike who believe they have been treated poorly. On Thursday, Council rangers ordered Oski’s sign to be removed from the footpath and issued the cafe owner the fine, even though nearby businesses continue to place A frame signs on the pavement with impunity.
The fine has sparked local outrage with locals even going as far crowdfunding to pay the fine for the cafe. Oski is defiant, continuing to display its A-frame, which tends to display a daily witticism or truism.
Just three weeks ago North Sydney Council was criticised for having a double standard on street signage after displaying several A frame signs on footpaths around North Sydney’s CBD to promote its own events.
The A frame fine follows a similar council action against nearby cafe Morgans which was ordered to remove a coffee cart it had operated for five years at a sheltered seating bay it rents from the council. This was attributed to health and safety concerns after a complaint was made even though the cart had been in place for 5 years. Council subsequently updated its policy to include “food (and) beverage production is not permissible in Outdoor Dining areas”. The Owner of the establishment estimates the cafe pays around $18,000 a year to rent a seating area on the sidewalk adjacent to the cafe.
Council has been contacted for comment about both disputes.
