BUSKERS, charities, democratic protests and even raffle collectors have been banned from the streets of one of Sydney's most affluent suburbs.

The harsh rule of law has come to the mean streets of Mosman, where the council has banned any activity on land owned by the council that has not been given special council authorisation.

The policy was created after complaints about pesky charity collectors on Military Rd at Mosman Junction and Spit Junction.

However, not everyone in the district feels the need for protection from such undesirables. Shirley Jenkins, a former councillor who voted against the ban, said: "We're starting to take the zest out of life.

"I don't know how many buskers we have in Mosman but I enjoy those around Circular Quay and the thing is that Mosman is boring if we don't have some of these things."

Councils raise $12 million annually in petty fines for frivolous offences such as overuse of car horns, fishing off bridges and placing pot plants on footpaths.

Under the strict new Mosman regime, there will be application fees for almost any activity on council-owned land, including $10 a day for buskers and $100 a day for free promotional giveaways to the public.

Not gaining approval, even for democratic protests, would warrant issuing of fines.

THE TELEGRAPH