Decision details

Moved by Councillor Gannon, seconded by Councillor Jarrett –

It is resolved that:

(A)       Council note:

(i)         fourteen Sydney Streets have been planned for the 2023-2024 financial year, seven between September and November 2023 and another seven between February and April 2024, as listed below:

(a)        Redfern Street (23 September and 17 February);

(b)        Haymarket (30 September), and Sydney Lunar Streets (10 February);

(c)        Glebe Point Road (14 October and 9 March);

(d)        Stanley Street (21 October and 24 February);

(e)        Crown Street, Surry Hills (4 November and 6 April);

(f)         Harris Street, Pyrmont (11 November and 16 March); and

(g)        Potts Point (18 November and 23 March);

(ii)        many of these events have been incredibly successful and popular;

(iii)       the success of these events show that Sydney’s entertainment and nightlife scene is bouncing back;

(iv)       each location has its own unique character, with for example, Stanley Street being a unique dining precinct in the City as it is almost entirely lined by food and beverage operators;

(i)         the City has budgeted $365,000 in the 2023/2024 financial year for the delivery of two Sydney Street events in Stanley Street, approximately $180,000 per event;

(ii)        with the incredible popularity of the events at Stanley Street, NSW Police have advised we will need to increase crowd management measures including infrastructure and security. This will see costs increase for the next event to at least $200,000; and

(iii)       Stanley Street is currently being supported by the City’s outdoor dining fee waiver measures, which will continue to 2025; and

(B)       the Chief Executive Officer be requested to progress the review of the Sydney Streets events, immediately following the completion of the 2023-2024 season in April 2024, and

(i)         consider whether the program can be amended by, for example changing the frequency and/or the locations of Sydney Street events;

(ii)        engage with local businesses, services and community groups to determine the optimal timing and frequency of events across the City, including the option of programming Sydney Streets or similar events during the Winter months;

(iii)       investigate options for infrastructure where required, not limited to traffic calming devices, to allow for more frequent usage, minimising the need to hire hostile vehicle mitigation equipment; with such measures being subject to a cost-benefit analysis; and

(iv)       report back to Council via CEO update.

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

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