Butcher's Free Sausage Sizzle Shut Down by Council, Faces Potential $1,600 Fine

A Gold Coast butcher faces a potential fine of up to $1,600 after a council inspector ordered him to stop his popular free weekly sausage sizzle, citing a lack of permits.

Maaki Tyson, co-owner of Lakeside Quality Meats in Palm Beach, stated that the inspector informed him he was operating without permits for the barbecue, roadside dining, or tables. "He said you haven't got a permit for the barbecue, you haven't got a permit for the roadside dining or the table," Tyson told news.com.au.

Tyson described the inspector's approach as "just wrong," despite acknowledging the inspector was performing his duty. "I'm like, well hang on, it's a free community event," he said. "A lot of customers were pretty upset and probably vocalised that to him, but he hung around for about an hour or so until we'd finished cleaning everything up."

The event, which Tyson says costs about $35,000 annually to run, serves as a community gathering point. "We just wanted to help our business but also help the community, so we get some homeless people that live in a park across the road," he explained. "They come over on Saturday. We get people after they've been to the local market; also kids after sport; it's just become a fun thing to do."

This was not the first interaction with the council regarding the event. A few months prior, a different council officer had issued a warning about signage. However, Tyson noted that no concerns were raised at that time about the barbecue operations or seating arrangements.

Despite the setback, Tyson expressed appreciation for the public and media support. "If we can't have it the way it is, we'll work our way around it," he stated. "We're not going to take it lying down."

Social media users have shown support for Tyson, with many criticizing the council's decision. Comments included suggestions for the council to focus on other matters and arguments that helping the community, particularly the homeless, should warrant an exemption from typical regulations.

A spokesperson for the City of Gold Coast confirmed that officers attended a business in Palm Beach on Saturday, October 17, and stated, "The City will continue to work with the business to ensure all future events comply with relevant health and safety requirements."