Decision details

Moved by Councillor Chung, seconded by Councillor Miller –

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)          Covid-19 restrictions have resulted in necessarily limiting access to places where people gather such as small business premises, transport, public spaces such as libraries and community centres and open space;

(ii)         the NSW Government has gradually reduced the restrictions on gatherings to encourage people to safely return to their lives;

(iii)        access to public spaces forms a critical part of the social connection for many people in the City of Sydney. During the Covid-19 lockdowns, the resulting lack of social connection has resulted in an increase in mental health issues, domestic violence, limited access to food and other necessities, poor social connections and a disconnection of community networks; and

(iv)       the City of Sydney has many premises which can offer community support which are currently operating at limited capacity beyond the public health orders; and

(B)        the Chief Executive Officer be requested to open all Council owned public facilities to the fullest extent permitted under the Public Health Orders.

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Note – the motion above was not carried. The resolution as below was carried –

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)          Councillors were briefed on the City’s Libraries, Community Centres and Venues Recovery Plan on 12 October 2020;

(ii)         a CEO Update circulated on 23 October 2020 provides further information on the opening of the City’s community facilities; and

(iii)        this briefing and CEO Update show that the City is opening community facilities to the greatest extent possible given the requirement for each facility to have its own Covid-safe plan and the resource requirements to implement these plans; and

(B)        the Chief Executive Officer be requested to continue to open all Council owned public facilities to the fullest extent possible permitted under the public health orders, the resource requirements of each facility’s Covid-safe plan and the efficient deployment of those resources.

The amendment was carried on the following show of hands –

Ayes (8)          The Chair (the Lord Mayor), Councillors Kok, Miller, Phelps, Scott, Scully, Thalis and Vithoulkas

Noes (2)          Councillors Chung and Forster.

Amendment carried.

The substantive motion was carried unanimously.

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