Decision details

Minute by the Lord Mayor

To Council:

It is crucial that public transport usage is established as the preferred mode of transport for patrons attending events at Moore Park before the opening of the new Allianz Stadium on 28 August 2022. Public transport is an attractive option now that Moore Park is serviced by the CBD and South East Light Rail.

The light rail has a dedicated stop at Moore Park for people attending events and games. Light rail provides an important opportunity to reset patron transport behaviour and encourage public transport use.

The City has advocated for integrated ticketing in Sydney since I was first elected Lord Mayor in 2004. In 2019, after the completion of the light rail, I wrote to the then Premier, Minister for Transport and Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust, urging for the immediate introduction of integrated ticketing which includes free public transport in the event ticket fee for events at Moore Park given the availability of light rail to the area.

There is a long history of traffic gridlock associated with events held at Moore Park which impacts on movements of local residents, while event patrons sit in gridlocked traffic. With Covid-19 restrictions removed this year, many events at the Sydney Cricket Ground have already seen gridlock conditions return.

Now is the time to immediately remove all on-grass parking at Moore Park, given the provision of light rail with a dedicated Moore Park stop and the proposed construction of a 1,500-space carpark associated with the new stadium.

Integrated ticketing has proven effective in increasing public transport use at other stadia and during the Sydney Olympics. The Moore Park Master Plan 2040 noted the importance of seeking integrated ticketing to encourage public transport use.

The Event Car Parking Management Plan and the Green Travel Plan, which were developed under conditions of consent for the new stadium, identified work to introduce integrated ticketing for events at Moore Park. For events with integrated ticketing, ticket holders can travel for free to and from the precinct via bus, rail or light rail. Currently the only major sporting partners that have integrated ticketing arrangements for events at Allianz Stadium are the NSW Waratahs, Sydney FC and Rugby Australia (for international tests). Transport for NSW and Venues NSW are still working with stakeholders towards integrated ticketing for all events at Moore Park.

The technology and mechanisms needed to introduce integrated ticketing are clearly available and all that is needed is the will. The NSW Government must ensure that integrated ticketing is operating for all events when the new stadium opens.

It is also important that public transport and green transport options available for Moore Park are widely publicised for each event through education and promotional campaigns directed at patrons. This would encourage people to use public transport rather than driving to and from the venues at Moore Park, and reduce the demand on parking and traffic congestion in the surrounding areas.

COUNCILLOR CLOVER MOORE

Lord Mayor

Attachment

Attachment A.              Letter to the Minister for Sport - Public Transport to Events at Moore Park

Moved by the Chair (the Lord Mayor), seconded by Councillor Chan –

It is resolved that Council:

(A)        note the importance of integrated ticketing to encourage the use of free public transport and reduce the reliance on private vehicle usage; and

(B)        Council note my joint letter with Alex Greenwich MP, as shown at Attachment A to the subject minute, sent to the Minister for Sport and Minister for Transport on 11 August 2022 noting the concerns about traffic congestion in the Moore Park area, and requesting that integrated ticketing is operating, and that public and green transport options are strongly promoted for all events held at Moore Park, before the new stadium opens.

The Minute, as varied by consent, was carried on the following show of hands –

Ayes (9)          The Chair (the Lord Mayor), Councillors Chan, Davis, Ellsmore, Gannon, Kok, Scott, Scully and Weldon

Noes (1)          Councillor Jarrett*.

*Note – Councillor Jarrett abstained from voting on this matter. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 10.4 of the Code of Meeting Practice, Councillor Jarrett is taken to have voted against the motion.

Minute carried.

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