Decision details

Moved by Councillor Scott, seconded by Councillor Ellsmore –

It is resolved that:

(A)       Council note:

(i)         on Saturday, 29 July 2023, just after 3am, a 25-year-old man and a 34-year-old man, stepping in to help, were stabbed by a man armed with a machete just outside Noir Sydney Nightclub;

(ii)        NSW Police are still looking for the armed man who fled the scene with seven other men;

(iii)       this crime is still under investigation and NSW Police hold no information to suggest that this was a hate crime targeted at the LGBTIQA+ community;

(iv)       an incident of this nature occurring within the Oxford Street precinct is a serious concern to our residents and the LGBTIQA+ community;

(v)        recently, Oxford Street has seen an increase in anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiment, with queer communities reporting they are facing both verbal and physical abuse;

(vi)       in April 2023 alone, there were three violent attacks on Oxford Street;

(vii)      NSW Police have increased high-visibility patrols in the area in response to the increase in violence;

(viii)    the community is very concerned that what was once known as a safe and inclusive space is now frightening;

(ix)       local LGBTQIA+ safe businesses in the area will be impacted by the decrease in crowds due to immense safety concerns;

(x)        as the Australian Local Government Association President, Councillor Scott has:

(a)        written to the Australian Federal Police Commissioner; and

(a)        requested state and territory Local Government Associations write to state and territory Police Commissioners to invite them to meet with the Australian Local Government Association to share intelligence across borders about increasing right wing extremism including hate crimes against councils, council staff and drag queen story time community events;

(xi)       the Lord Mayor has stated that later this year, the City will be co-hosting a State-wide LGBTQIA+ Local Government Safety Summit with ACON and Local Government NSW;

(B)       Council also note that King Street and the surrounding area of Newtown, which is also a proudly LGBTQIA+ pride precinct, has been the target of recent increases in transphobic activities;

(C)       the Chief Executive Officer be requested to explore increasing support for Wear it Purple Day and any other community safety initiatives following the summit;

(D)       the Lord Mayor be requested to write to:

(i)         the Minister for Police to condemn the Oxford Street stabbing and request that the City and NSW Government work together to address the violence; and

(ii)        the Police Commissioner, noting their increased patrols in the area and inquire about additional measures that can be taken to reduce the violence; and

(E)       the CEO be requested to liaise with Inner West Council representatives, to discuss opportunities to support community-led actions to respond to the recent incidents in and around Newtown, and report back to Council via the CEO Update.

The motion, as varied by consent, was carried unanimously.

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