14-05-2025
New South Wales Premier and Sydney City Lord Mayor at war over wild event ban on green spaces amid 'accelerating' climate change
A proposal to open up Sydney City's parks to new events has been struck down over ongoing concerns for the grass and climate change "accelerating severe weather events".
A council-wide ban on events in parks was introduced by Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore in 2022 after damage was done to grass at venues including Prince Alfred Park in the aftermath of events such as the Night Noodle Markets.
However at a council meeting on Monday, an amendment to the motion was passed that did not include a U-turn of the park events ban.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns on Wednesday said the Lord Mayor had made a "big mistake" by instigating the ban.
"Particularly closer to the city, open spaces, night markets, noodle markets, places for the community to come together, are exactly what big cities should be doing," the Premier said.
"I don't think this is reasonable, the decision needs to reversed. Sydney is not just for the residents that live in Sydney. If you're going to be the mayor of that community, you have to think about the millions of people that live in the surrounding communities."
In October 2022, council endorsed a Lord Mayoral Minute to stop all bookings in the Sydney City's public parks for any future of existing events and particularly commercial events that lasted longer than a day.
Ms Moore had written to then Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes MP to make state-run public spaces such as The Domain more available, but acknowledged larger venues were not suitable or accessible to smaller-scale or independent events.
The notices of motion from Monday's council meeting noted that climate change "is accelerating severe weather events," and that in recent years, increased rainfall in the lead up to and during outdoor commercial events had resulted in "significant damage" to large sections of parks.
Costs of up to $250,000 could be spent returfing grass after events in parks and sections could be fenced off for weeks at a time, the council noted.
Events such as Mardi Gras Fair Day, Yabun Festival and Pyrmont Food and Wine Festival will continue to be held at outdoor venues.
Councillor Olly Arkins had proposed for the city's green spaces to made more easily available to major music artists and event organisers.
'I'm moving this motion because I believe that if we want a vibrant, creative Sydney, we actually have to make space for it,' Councillor Arkins said.
"This isn't about turning every patch of green space into a festival ground, but we should be able to say yes to some events. Right now when someone wants to do an event in our city parks, staff are forced to say 'no, I'm sorry, you can't'."
Mr Arkins told the Lord Mayor and his fellow councillors that the City was failing to recognise the "cultural value" of park-held events for residents and the "benefit to the local economy".
"New South Wales government-owned venues like The domain and Tumbalong Park have shown how public spaces can be used successfully for cultural events, but those sites are built for scale," he said.
"They're great for major concerts, but they're not always accessible, or even appropriate for smaller, community driven events. That's where I believe the city should be stepping up."
