Decision details

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council approve a payment of $550,000 to Destination NSW as a contribution towards the $1.1 million recovery package to Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Ltd;

(B)      Council note that by providing this rescue package which includes the revenue lost as a consequence of the cancellation of Fair Day, the City and NSW Government will have contributed to reconciling the financial situation arising from the 2024 Festival and the already contracted grant funding will contribute to starting work on delivering the 2025 festival and beyond;

(C)      Council note that having accepted this recovery package Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Ltd can make no further claims for support relating to the 2024 Festival;

(D)      Council note that funding for the City’s contribution to the recovery package for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Ltd will come from savings in the 2023/24 City Life Divisional Budget;

(E)      Council note that the recovery package amount is exclusive of GST;

(F)      Council approve a variation to the existing grant agreement to bring forward payment of the 2024/25 grant to Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Ltd in full by 1 July 2024, conditional upon receiving the acquittal report from the 2024 Festival and a full independent financial and operational audit for ongoing operations, to support Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Ltd to plan for 2025 events; and

(G)      authority be delegated to the Chief Executive Officer to negotiate, execute and administer entering into agreements to implement these resolutions.

The motion was carried on the following show of hands –

Ayes (7)          The Chair (the Lord Mayor), Councillors Chan, Davis, Ellsmore, Kok, Scott and Worling

Noes (3)          Councillors Gannon, Jarrett* and Weldon*

Motion carried.

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

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