Decision details

Moved by Councillor Forster, seconded by Councillor Chung –

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)          the City accurately identifies that local markets can improve access to quality food and produce, promote social interaction, and provide opportunities for innovative ideas and businesses to develop;

(ii)         research commissioned in Australia and internationally has consistently shown that markets can benefit local communities and businesses, and that visitors to markets also patronise nearby local shops;

(iii)        the Glebe Markets are held every Saturday from 10am to 4pm within the grounds of Glebe Public School, adjacent to Glebe Point Road;

(iv)       that because this market is situated on State Government-owned land, the City of Sydney has no jurisdiction over the management and operation of Glebe Markets on this particular site and the City's Markets Policy does not apply in this case;

(v)         residents have raised serious concerns regarding traffic congestion associated with constant usage by pedestrians entering or leaving the markets of the pedestrian crossing on Glebe Point Road outside Glebe Public School;

(vi)       Glebe Point Road is a major public transport route for Sydney Buses, with the 370, 431 and 433 all passing by Glebe Public School on Saturdays; and

(vii)      according to the Roads and Maritime Schedule, Glebe Point Road is an ‘Unclassified Regional Road’ and is therefore managed and financed by the City of Sydney Council; and

(B)        the Chief Executive Officer be requested to take steps, in cooperation with the operators of the Glebe Markets, to implement a traffic management plan for the pedestrian crossing outside Glebe Public School on Glebe Point Road on Saturdays when the markets are operating.

Foreshadowed motion. Councillor Miller foreshadowed that, should the motion moved by Councillor Forster be lost, she would move an alternative motion.

The motion was lost on the following show of hands –

Ayes (4)          Councillors Chung, Forster, Phelps and Scott

Noes (6)          The Lord Mayor, Councillors Kok, Miller, Scully, Thalis and Vithoulkas.

Motion lost.

Councillor Miller then moved her foreshadowed motion, seconded by Councillor Scully –

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)          the City accurately identifies that local markets can improve access to quality food and produce, promote social interaction, and provide opportunities for innovative ideas and businesses to develop;

(ii)         research commissioned in Australia and internationally has consistently shown that markets can benefit local communities and businesses, and that visitors to markets also patronise nearby local shops;

(iii)        the Glebe Markets are very popular, have been running for the last 20 years, and are held every Saturday from 10am to 4pm within the grounds of Glebe Public School, adjacent to Glebe Point Road;

(iv)       that because this market is situated on State Government-owned land, the City of Sydney has no jurisdiction over the management and operation of Glebe Markets on this particular site and the City's Markets Policy does not apply in this case;

(v)         over the last five years, the City of Sydney has received five complaints regarding traffic congestion associated with constant usage by pedestrians entering or leaving the markets of the pedestrian crossing on Glebe Point Road outside Glebe Public School;

(vi)       City of Sydney staff say that the traffic signals at Parramatta Road also contribute to traffic congestion in Glebe;

(vii)      the area is gazetted as a 40km per hour High Pedestrian Activity Area, it is a pedestrian priority zone;

(viii)     the City of Sydney has an active transport policy and encourages people to walk, cycle, use car share and public transport to reduce traffic congestion;

(ix)       Glebe Point Road is well serviced by public transport; it is a major public transport route for Sydney Buses, with the 370, 431 and 433 all passing by Glebe Public School on Saturdays;

(x)         if people need to drive, City of Sydney staff recommend motorists avoid Glebe Point Road where possible, allow extra time for travel, or take an alternative parallel route by the way of Derwent and Ross Streets to avoid Glebe Point Road; and

(xi)       according to the Roads and Maritime Schedule, Glebe Point Road is an ‘Unclassified Regional Road’ and is therefore managed and financed by the City of Sydney Council.

The foreshadowed motion was carried on the following show of hands –

Ayes (8)          The Chair (the Lord Mayor), Councillors Kok, Miller, Phelps, Scott, Scully, Thalis and Vithoulkas

Noes (2)          Councillors Chung and Forster.

Motion carried.

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