Waverley Council's controversial so-called picnic permit policy did not apply to events with less than 50 people – or so the public was told after an incident when rangers threatened to call the police to breakup a Bondi Beach gathering with a dozen people.

But contrary to public assurances from council that small gatherings were exempt, internal emails obtained under freedom of information laws reveal that Waverley Mayor Sally Betts had different ideas.

Bondi Park controversy: Picnic permit policy back on the agenda. Credit:Kate Geraghty

"My understanding is that a permit is required for anyone to hold an event in the Bondi Park area. Even if that event is one person sitting on a chair collecting signatures," she told staff in an email on February 12.

The policy that requires anyone using social media to invite guests to an event - even a picnic - to apply for a permit has sparked a public outcry – and attempts to amend the measure at the council's meeting on Tuesday night.