Council told The Area News in April of this year it accepted it needed to develop a clearer policy on what events required development applications, after confusing regulations hindered the process behind the city’s Vintage Festival.

The comments came following the saga between Council and local businessman Peter Piccolo who was fined in October for hosting a development without consent, but fought the fine and had his charges dismissed due to inconsistencies in council’s approach.

The issue has again come to light after it was raised at Tuesday’s Council meeting by Councillor Christine Stead, who said there remained too much confusion around where the community stood when hosting events.

“Where is our events policy, who determines the price at the moment for a function? What’s the process?” she asked, according to council minutes.

“I have had several people asking about functions in their garden and how much is the charge.”

Cr Stead was told by director of sustainable development Neil Southorn the draft policy was still under preparation.

“Council staff are working closely with event organisers to assist with their approvals and preparations,” he responded, according to the minutes.

Despite having battled the confusion raging around this issue since last October Peter Piccolo says he is still grappling with what is required from him and his family in order for them to legally host events last week.

Mr Piccolo said his son Luke had been asked to host an upcoming community event and was advised he would need to lodge an expensive development application to secure approval to do so.

“It has been eight months and they still don’t have a policy,” he said.

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Remaining positive despite this frustration however, Mr Piccolo said he was hopeful the events policy could come as soon as possible, for the benefit of the whole community.

“As Griffith sits on the edge of an explosion in food tourism we need to know if Griffith City Council is any closer to having an events policy and if there are any fees associated with this,” he said.

“It is a question for the whole community.”

Griffith City Council were approached by The Area News for comment on this article and were asked whether council now had an events policy and, if not, what those wanting to host an event had to do to get approval. At the time of publication council still had not responded to these questions.