Decision details

Moved by Councillor Scully, seconded by Councillor Miller -

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council note:

(i)         there is growing community demand for local celebrations and neighbourhood events, such as Christmas parties and Halloween trick-or-treating, that would be enhanced by the temporary closure of residential streets to motorised traffic;

(ii)        Community groups and Parent & Citizens’ associations attempting to hold such events have been deterred in the past by the existing process to apply for road closures, which can sometimes be complex and costly for one-day community events;

(iii)      Seventy eight per cent of respondents in the City’s Planning for Sydney 2050 Community Engagement Insights Report wanted more space for walking in their local streets; and

(iv)      the City has the resources and knowledge to assist communities that want to organise temporary road closures, but are intimidated by current processes or unsure how to navigate them, and could streamline the approval process for a number of select residential streets in neighbourhoods across the City; and

(B)      the Chief Executive Officer be requested to investigate how the City could simplify the road closures process for community groups, including by:

(i)         inviting local communities and Parents & Citizens’ Associations to nominate 'easy streets' for community events in their area that would benefit from an expedited process for pedestrian-friendly events; and

(ii)        liaising with Transport for NSW, police local area commands, Service NSW, Sydney Buses, car share operators and other relevant authorities to facilitate the creation of 'easy streets'.

Carried unanimously.

S129264