Decision details

The original motion was moved by Councillor Arkins, seconded by Councillor Maxwell.

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council note: 

(i)         the City of Sydney is committed to supporting a vibrant day and nightlife and creative sector, recognising the vital role that events, live performance and cultural activity play in the social, cultural and economic life of our city;

(ii)        the City works hard to balance the protection of our public spaces with opportunities for community and cultural events in the City;  

(iii)      climate change is accelerating severe weather events, and in recent years increased rainfall in the lead up to and during outdoor commercial events, including the Night Noodle Markets at Hyde Park and Prince Alfred Park, resulted in significant damage to large sections of the parks;

(iv)      to rehabilitate our parks after damage, considerable time and money is spent; returfing affected areas can cost up to $250,000 and they can be fenced off for up to 13 weeks;

(v)       in October 2022 Council endorsed a Lord Mayoral Minute to stop all bookings in our public parks for any existing and future events, particularly commercial events that are for more than one day, and work with event applicants to find alternative hard-stand locations, where possible;

(vi)       in November 2022, the Lord Mayor wrote to the then Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport about making State-controlled public spaces like Darling Harbour and The Domain more available and affordable for events,

(vii)     the City continues to support cultural one-day events in our public parks like Mardi Gras Fair Day, Yabun Festival and Pyrmont Food and Wine Festival;

(viii)    the City’s Cultural and Economic Development strategies have a revitalised night life, including more live music, as key objectives;

(ix)      the NSW Government is currently undertaking a business case for a permanent sound shell and event-ready infrastructure in The Domain, which should significantly reduce costs for event organisers and help enable more frequent cultural use;             

(x)       the City of Sydney recently purchased 22 O’Riordan Street, Alexandria, with the intention of delivering a public park for the residents of Green Square and surrounding areas, and recognises the potential for this large site to host live music and other cultural events on an interim basis before construction commences;

(xi)      currently it is financially and administratively difficult to hold small-scale events, parties and live music in the City of Sydney's laneways and streets, due to complex NSW Government and City of Sydney regulations, permits and event planning requirements; and

(xii)     the community has expressed interest in the City making it easier for music and Cultural events given Sydney’s great climate, including more daytime events;

(B)      the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)         investigate and report back to Council on the feasibility of using 22 O’Riordan Street, Alexandria for live music and other cultural events on an interim basis before construction commences for use as a public park; and

(ii)        identify and report to Council as soon as possible on at least 5 laneways or streets across the City of Sydney that could be suitable for hosting small-scale street parties and live music events by the community, and investigate whether Council can undertake the development applications and event plans for up to 5 events per year in each location, with the goal of streamlining access and reducing costs for communities and local organisers; and

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

(i)         the Hon John Graham MLC, Minister for Music and the Night-Time Economy and Minister for Transport, requesting that the NSW Government:

(a)       encourage more frequent use of venues such as The Domain and Tumbalong Park with more affordable pricing structures and providing at reasonable cost for the necessary staging and power infrastructure that make the venues more accessible to the industry; and

(b)       investigate the use of College Street, between William Street and Prince Albert Road, as an extension to St Mary’s Cathedral Forecourt for outdoor events; and

(ii)        the Vice Chancellor of Sydney University about investigating the potential for outdoor spaces within Sydney University Campus in the City of Sydney local area to be used for more live music and cultural events.

The amended motion carried unanimously.

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