The City of Sydney Will Waive Its Wedding Venue Hire Fees for Same-Sex Couples

There's no doubt Australian same-sex couples have had a pretty rough go of things this year, as the nation decides the future of marriage equality via a postal vote. But in a potential win for Sydney-based same-sex couples keen to get hitched, The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the City of Sydney has announced they'll be able to marry for free in some of the city's best-loved buildings and parks — if same-sex marriage is given the green light by the Federal Government, of course.

In a motion passed yesterday, the council would allow gay couples to hire halls, parks and community facilities free of charge for 100 days after the government legislates gay marriage, and has also suggested it will make Sydney Town Hall available for a mass wedding ceremony. It has, however, promised that no existing bookings for straight couples would be cancelled or moved. Lord Mayor Clover Moore tweeted on the subject this morning.

But if YES 🌈 then we will provide city spaces free for 100 days to welcome same-sex couples to civil marriage #marriageequality #postyouryes

— Clover Moore (@CloverMoore) October 23, 2017

The City of Sydney has been a vocal supporter of the Yes campaign, gifting the likes of mailouts, the erection of banners and the use of office space. A result is expected to be announced on November 15. So if you haven't yet posted your vote, well, make sure you do it ASAP.

Via The Sydney Morning Herald. Image: Letícia Almeida.