Decision details

By Councillor Gannon

It is resolved that:

(A)       Council note:

(i)         Taylor Square is the heart and soul of the Oxford Street precinct;

(ii)        Oxford Street is undergoing a mass revitalisation, with new businesses and developments appearing from Hyde Park to the Victoria Barracks, and a new cycleway and extended footpaths to start construction later this year;

(iii)       soon, the Oxford Street cultural precinct will be home to a new cultural institution, with Australia’s first pride museum, Qtopia, establishing its permanent home in the former Darlinghurst Police Station; and

(iv)       that to foster cohesive cultural spaces, people must be prioritised over cars;

(B)       Council note:

(i)         there is an opportunity to upgrade Taylor Square alongside the multiple other developments happening in its vicinity;

(ii)        that linking the National Art School, Qtopia, Taylor Square and Oxford Street with a pedestrianised square would create a fantastic public space for residents; and

(iii)       that this section of road has been closed previously for public events, such as the Glitter Festival; and

(C)       the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)         investigate the feasibility of pedestrianising sections of Forbes, Foley and Bourke Streets in the vicinity of the planned Qtopia Museum; and

(ii)        report back to Council with the feasibility study’s findings.

Note – at the meeting of Council, the content of the original Notice of Motion was varied by Councillor Gannon. Subsequently it was –

Moved by Councillor Gannon, seconded by Councillor Jarrett –

It is resolved that:

(A)       Council note:

(i)         Taylor Square is the heart and soul of the Oxford Street precinct;

(ii)        Oxford Street is undergoing a mass revitalisation, with new businesses and developments appearing from Hyde Park to the Victoria Barracks, and a new cycleway and extended footpaths to start construction later this year;

(iii)       soon, the Oxford Street cultural precinct will be home to a new cultural institution, with Australia’s first pride museum, Qtopia, establishing its permanent home in the former Darlinghurst Police Station; and

(iv)       that to foster cohesive cultural spaces, people must be prioritised over cars;

(B)       Council note:

(i)         one of the transformative project ideas in Sustainable Sydney 2030-2050: Continuing the Vision is a proposal to revitalise the precinct. This includes:

(a)        recognising and renewing the National Art School as a key cultural institution for the area;

(b)        relocating the law courts away from Taylor Square to open the historic Darlinghurst Courthouse complex for public and cultural use and open the National Art School to Oxford Street, the public and our communities; and

(c)        opening the frontage to Oxford Street and Taylor Square to connect this major cultural hub to the wider precinct, including the planned Qtopia museum, and elevate it as a major cultural destination;

(ii)        in addition to any funding contributed by the City of Sydney, upgrading the Taylor Square precinct requires the commitment and investment of the NSW Government, alongside the multiple other developments happening in its vicinity; and

(iii)       that this section of road has been closed previously for public events, such as the Glitter Festival; and

(C)       the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)         investigate the feasibility of pedestrianising sections of Forbes, Foley and Bourke Streets in the vicinity of the planned Qtopia Museum; and

(ii)        report back to Council with the feasibility study’s findings.

Carried unanimously.

X086658