Moved by Councillor Scott, seconded by
Councillor Ellsmore –
It is resolved that:
(A) Council note:
(i)
on
Saturday, 29 July 2023, just after 3am, a 25-year-old man and a 34-year-old
man, stepping in to help, were stabbed by a man armed with a machete just
outside Noir Sydney Nightclub;
(ii)
NSW
Police are still looking for the armed man who fled the scene with seven other men;
(iii)
this
crime is still under investigation and NSW Police hold no information to suggest
that this was a hate crime targeted at the LGBTIQA+ community;
(iv)
an
incident of this nature occurring within the Oxford Street precinct is a
serious concern to our residents and the LGBTIQA+ community;
(v)
recently,
Oxford Street has seen an increase in anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiment, with queer
communities reporting they are facing both verbal and physical abuse;
(vi)
in
April 2023 alone, there were three violent attacks on Oxford Street;
(vii)
NSW
Police have increased high-visibility patrols in the area in response to the
increase in violence;
(viii)
the
community is very concerned that what was once known as a safe and inclusive
space is now frightening;
(ix)
local
LGBTQIA+ safe businesses in the area will be impacted by the decrease in crowds
due to immense safety concerns;
(x)
as the
Australian Local Government Association President, Councillor Scott has:
(a)
written
to the Australian Federal Police Commissioner; and
(a)
requested
state and territory Local Government Associations write to state and territory
Police Commissioners to invite them to meet with the Australian Local
Government Association to share intelligence across borders about increasing
right wing extremism including hate crimes against councils, council staff and
drag queen story time community events;
(xi) the Lord Mayor has stated that later this
year, the City will be co-hosting a State-wide
LGBTQIA+ Local Government Safety Summit with ACON and Local Government NSW;
(B) Council also note
that King Street and the surrounding area of Newtown, which is also a proudly
LGBTQIA+ pride precinct, has been the target of recent increases in transphobic
activities;
(C)
the
Chief Executive Officer be requested to explore increasing support for Wear it
Purple Day and any other community safety initiatives following the summit;
(D)
the
Lord Mayor be requested to write to:
(i)
the
Minister for Police to condemn the Oxford Street stabbing and request that the
City and NSW Government work together to address the violence; and
(ii)
the
Police Commissioner, noting their increased patrols in the area and inquire
about additional measures that can be taken to reduce the violence; and
(E) the CEO be requested to liaise with Inner
West Council representatives, to discuss opportunities to support community-led
actions to respond to the recent incidents in and around Newtown, and report
back to Council via the CEO Update.
The motion, as varied by consent, was carried
unanimously.
X086655