Decision details

Minute by the Lord Mayor

To Council:

Unique outdoor events, like the Night Noodle Markets, have been a key part of how many people enjoy Sydney for many years.

The City works hard to balance the protection of our public spaces with opportunities to create community events and support business opportunities in the City. This has been especially important as we recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

However, climate change has accelerated severe weather events, adding another layer of complexity to event planning. Given this year’s unrelenting rain, outdoor events have made a significant impact on our parks.

Hyde Park traditionally hosted the noodle markets, but approval wasn’t given this year because of damage to the park in the past and the need lock off large areas of the park for a significant time for it to recover. A decision was made to relocate the night noodle markets this year to Prince Alfred Park because of its size and proximity to public transport.

The City carried out a dilapidation report before the Night Noodle Markets commenced to assess the park’s condition, and it was found to be satisfactory. Now the markets have finished, City staff will do another assessment and the event organiser will be responsible for restoring the park to its original condition. Sections of the park will temporarily be fenced off for returfing and remediation.

We know the damage caused has been of concern for our residents who love and rely on our parks for renewal, and recreation.

In the past, the City has carefully distributed events across a range of sites to make sure locations are not overused, and when our parks are used for events, clear conditions for organisers to adhere to are set out to minimise their impact.

We want to be able to continue to hold one day community events such as Christmas concerts, Yabun and Mardi Gras Fair Day. We could also consider hard stand venues such as St. Mary’s Cathedral Square, Martin Place or Darling Harbour for other events.

COUNCILLOR CLOVER MOORE

Lord Mayor

Moved by the Chair (the Lord Mayor), seconded by Councillor Scully –

It is resolved that:

(A)       the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)         review the City of Sydney’s policies for booking our public parks in relation to any existing and future events, particularly commercial events that extend to more than one day;

(ii)        not accept any new bookings for events in our parks that may cause damage to the grassed areas while the review is underway;

(iii)       work with event applicants to find alternative hard-stand locations (within and outside the City’s jurisdiction), where possible; and

(iv)       report back to Councillors on the progress of the review via CEO Updates; and

(B)       the Lord Mayor be requested to write to the NSW Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport about making State-controlled public spaces like Darling Harbour more available and affordable for events.

Carried unanimously.

S051491