Moved by Councillor Arkins, seconded by the
Chair (the Deputy Lord Mayor) –
It is resolved that:
(A) Council note that Centennial Parklands is one
of Sydney’s most significant public open spaces and a key venue for cultural
and community gatherings;
(B)
Council
note Centennial and Moore Parklands are surrounded by thousands of residents
who use the parklands for passive and active recreation on a daily basis;
(C)
Council
note that as Sydney’s population increases, it is more
important than ever to balance and accommodate community needs, while remaining
one of Sydney’s most popular and loved green spaces;
(D)
Council
note the NSW Government’s recent announcement to lift
the major events cap at Centennial Park from 8 to 12 events per year with over
20,000 attendees;
(E)
Council
note that the NSW Government’s decision complements the City of Sydney’s
ongoing work to support safe, well managed and accessible major events across
the local area, consistent with Council’s goals to enhance Sydney’s cultural
life and night-time economy;
(F)
Council
note that this change aligns with the NSW Government’s Vibrancy Reforms and
broader goals to activate Sydney’s public spaces, strengthen the night-time
economy, and support the growth of the state’s cultural and creative industries;
(G)
Council
welcome this decision as an important next step in in
supporting Sydney’s cultural life, providing certainty and reduced costs for
event organisers by allowing greater sharing of infrastructure, and creating
more opportunities for local artists, businesses and audiences;
(H)
Council
note that additional major events at Centennial Park
are expected to deliver positive economic benefits for nearby businesses,
hospitality venues and accommodation providers in Surry Hills, Darlinghurst and
Paddington, helping to sustain Sydney’s night-time economy and tourism sector;
and
(I)
the
Lord Mayor be requested to write to Premier Chris Minns, Minister for Planning
Paul Scully, and the Minister for Music and the Night-Time Economy John Graham:
(i)
welcoming
the decision to lift the major events cap at Centennial Park;
(ii)
expressing
Council’s support for continued collaboration to ensure the park remains both a
vibrant cultural space and a protected public asset; and
(iii) requesting a commitment that events in
Centennial and Moore Parklands are managed responsibly to minimise traffic and
parking, noise and other amenity and environmental impacts on surrounding
residential communities.
The motion, as
varied by consent, was carried unanimously.
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