Decision details

Moved by Councillor Weldon, seconded by Councillor Jarrett –

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)           the City’s draft Cultural Strategy 2025-2035 identifies that unaffordable housing is displacing creative workers. It notes, “While there are efforts at a federal and state level to increase housing supply, our consultation suggests that it will be too late for Sydney’s artists if we do not act urgently with cost of living and rent relief”;

(ii)         the City’s analysis shows that the number of creative artists, musicians, writers and performers living in the City has plunged more than 11 per cent over the last decade. It’s been reported that we’re the only capital city that has lost creative workers over this time;

(iii)        if we are to maintain a vibrant, diverse and accessible City, we must urgently address the lack of affordable housing for creative workers;

(iv)        the City has a small number of residential properties which it rents to artists and creative practitioners to live and work in the city at below market rental. Properties include six one-bedroom apartments on William Street in Darlinghurst and a three-bedroom apartment above Waterloo Library;

(v)         the first tenancies commenced in 2013. Since then, the Creative Live/Work Spaces program has supported 64 mostly early-stage artists and creative workers to hone their practice within the City of Sydney, contributing to the City’s cultural life;

(vi)        at the last Expression of Interest, the City received 105 applications for the seven available residences; and

(vii)      the City’s draft Cultural Strategy 2025-2035 recommends extending creative/live work tenancies from 18 month to two-year leases and researching affordable housing models to support the creative sector including purpose-built artist housing with live/work or co-located workspace;

(B)        Council commit to expanding the City’s Creative Live/Work Spaces Program; and

(C)        the Chief Executive Officer be requested to allocate funding within the 2024/25 budget and Long Term Financial Plan for the acquisition and fit-out of additional properties or the conversion of suitable commercial property within our existing portfolio.

The motion was lost on the following show of hands –

Ayes (4)          Councillors Ellsmore, Jarrett, Scott and Weldon

Noes (6)          The Chair (the Lord Mayor), Councillors Chan, Davis, Gannon, Kok and Worling.

Motion lost.

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