Latest news with #NightNoodleMarkets
Sky News AU
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
‘A real head scratcher': NSW Arts Minister slams Sydney City parks event ban following controversial council decision
The New South Wales Arts Minister has labelled a reaffirmed event ban slapped on Sydney City parks a 'real head-scratcher' following the Lord Mayor Clover Moore-led council's decision to prioritise grass over festivities. The extraordinary ban on events in the city's parks was introduced by the Lord Mayor in 2022 after grass was damaged at venues including Prince Alfred Park in the aftermath of events such as the Night Noodle Markets. A proposal to reverse the policy was struck down at a Sydney City council meeting on Monday. Speaking with Sky News Host Laura Jayne on Thursday, NSW Arts Minister John Graham admitted he was baffled by the decision. Mr Graham said the state government has been working closely with the council on the idea of making Sydney a '24-hour city'. 'It's the first time in a couple of generations that the state and the city have been aligned. We want Sydney to be a 24-hour city, and that's great news, the state and the city working hand in hand to make that happen,' said the minister. 'That's why it's a real head-scratcher to see this answer, a blanket ban on parks, at the same time as we're trying to encourage music and entertainment back around the clock in Sydney.' Asked about whether the NSW government could overrule the council's controversial ban, Mr Graham said 'this will be a discussion'. 'But it will be a public discussion because we want a better answer here,' the Minister said. 'These are council parks, but the idea that we can't use any of them for these sorts of big events, these big chances for the community to come together, is one we'd like to be reconsidered.' The notices of motion from Monday's meeting noted that climate change "is accelerating severe weather events," and that in recent years, increased rainfall prior to and during outdoor events had resulted in "significant damage" to large sections of parks. NSW Premier Chris Minns on Wednesday said the Lord Mayor had made a "big mistake" by instigating the ban and called for the decision to be reversed. Ms Moore in 2022 wrote 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. A Sydney City spokesperson on Wednesday said the council assessed requests to hold events in parks on a case-by-case basis. 'We're continuing to review potential options that help balance activating the city and ensuring parks can be enjoyed year-round by the entire community,' the spokesperson said. 'We need to get the balance right to ensure people have access to parks as well as the opportunity to experience outdoor shows and festivals.' Restaurateur and chef Luke Mangan on Wednesday called on the Lord Mayor to stop Sydney City becoming a "nanny state". "Covid is gone, but let's get this city happening again," Mr Mangan said.
Sky News AU
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
'Let's not turn this city into a nanny state': Restaurateur Luke Mangan fears ghost-town for vibrant CBD following Sydney Lord Mayor's event ban on Sydney parks
A restaurateur has called on Sydney's Lord Mayor Clover Moore to stop the city from turning into a "nanny state" after the council reinstated a controversial ban on events at local parks over an extraordinary concern to protect the grass from damage. Chef Luke Mangan, who is in the process of launching a Sydney food festival later in the year, now faces challenges following the ban and claimed the city is already "struggling quite a bit". Mr Mangan told Sky News on Wednesday afternoon the Lord Mayor's ban to restrict residents from hosting events at local parks is "ludicrous", and she should be working to revive the CBD'S vibrant life that is now a "ghost town". "Covid is gone, but let's get this city happening again," he said. "It's a bit embarrassing when you walk down George Street any given night of the week and it's like a little ghost town in some parts. So we really need to open it. "Let's not turn this into a nanny state." This comes after Ms Moore's council failed to take a U-turn on the ban that has been in place for almost three years on council-run parks and struck down a proposal to open up Sydney parks to commercial events. The council attributed the reasoning behind their ban to ongoing concerns for the grass and climate change "accelerating severe weather events". "Increased rainfall in the lead-up to and during outdoor commercial events has resulted in significant damage to large sections of the parks," the notices of motion read from the council meeting. Ms Moore introduced the council-wide ban in 2022 after damage to grass at venues including Prince Alfred Park in the aftermath of events such as the Night Noodle Markets. In October 2022, council endorsed a Lord Mayoral Minute to stop all bookings in the Sydney City's public parks for any future or existing events and particularly commercial events that lasted longer than a day. Mr Mangan further argued festivals such as the Night Noodle Market is what draws residents and tourists to the CBD and supports the local economy as many would stay in hotels, visit bars and restaurants during their visit. "There's so many small businesses, restaurants, cafes, wine bars that are still struggling, and if you can get 2,000 people into a city event in a park, they're going to stay in hotels, and eat in different venues, and probably spend a few days in the city, coming up from Melbourne or down from Brisbane, wherever it may be," he said. "Let's get Sydney like it used to be. "Everyone generating business dollars but also the public having a great time and that's what this city needs. Get people out there more and enjoy it." When asked about the destruction from the Night Noodle Market three years ago, Mr Mangan it should be common sense to repair damages and ensure parks are returned to its original state after an event. "Surely the council can create a document that if you do take over a park and you damage it or create problems with it that you must repair it and fix it and let's get on with living life," he added. It is understood events such as Mardi Gras Fair Day, Yabun Festival and Pyrmont Food and Wine Festival will be exempt from the Lord Mayor's ban. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns criticised Ms Moore's vote to reinstate the ban and called for the Lord Mayor to backtrack the restriction. 'My government has made big efforts, major strides, to open up more open space in the CBD. We've caught a lot of criticism for it, particularly around Moore Park," he said. 'We're not going to continue to do those kinds of changes if, in the end, they're going to be locked up and hermetically sealed and people will be stopped from accessing open space. "The decision needs to be reversed. Sydney is not just (for) the residents if you're going to be the mayor… (you) have to think about that responsibility.'
Sky News AU
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Chris Minns wants council to overturn event ban on green spaces
Climate change and damage to public parks are being used as reasons to block proposals for events in Sydney. The City of Sydney is concerned about damage to grass areas. Councillors voted on Monday night to reaffirm the ban which has been in place since 2022. It was introduced after the popular Night Noodle Markets left the lawn of Prince Alfred Park damaged. Premier Chris Minns is challenging Lord Mayor Clover Moore to overturn the ban to bring 'vibrancy' back to the city.
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Outrageous reason major events are banned in Clover Moore's Sydney - as push to restore vibrancy to nanny state sensationally fails
Clover Moore's council has sparked outrage after voting to keep a ban on major events being hosted in public parks to prevent damage to the grass. The City of Sydney voted on Monday to keep tough restrictions that have been in place for almost three years at council-run parks. The ban was first introduced in October 2022 after the Night Noodle Markets caused serious damage at Prince Alfred Park. Only a few one-day events are still permitted, like Christmas concerts, the Yabun Festival and Mardi Gras Fair Day. Labor Councillor Olly Arkins tried to overturn the ban, asking that Victoria Park be allowed to host up to five events a year instead of the current two. The attempt was shut down as council offered the extraordinary excuse that 'climate change is accelerating severe weather patterns'. 'Increased rainfall in the lead-up to and during outdoor commercial events has resulted in significant damage to large sections of the parks.' Arkins argued council was not 'recognising the cultural value for our residents and the benefits for the local economy of these live opportunities' by enforcing the ban. 'This is about giving people a reason to stay out. We talk a lot about a vibrant 24-hour city, but this is what it actually looks like in practice,' he said. Councillor Adam Worling, from Clover Moore's Council team, claimed public parks shouldn't be used for commercial events. He also recalled the significant damage caused by the Night Noodle Markets. 'I witnessed the calamity of the Night Noodle Markets in 2022,' he said. '[The bump out] was delayed because of the torrential rain. It was a disaster what they did to our park.' He added the parks are still soaked after months of rain and warned that damage from large crowds could cost up to $250,000 to fix. Worling suggested events should be held at other areas like Martin Place or the University of Technology Sydney. He called on the state government to make venues like The Domain and Tumbalong Park cheaper to hire. Worling pointed out Victoria Park once hosted major concerts for The Angels, AC/DC, and Cold Chisel, with a stage built on the roof of the pool. 'Why do we need to relegate these great days of live music in Sydney to the past, when there are artists and audiences desperate for a stage here and now?' he said. NSW Premier Chris Minns supported ending the ban, saying on Tuesday 'we need to be sensible here'. City of Sydney Liberal Councillor Lyndon Gannon meanwhile told Daily Mail Australia the state government wasn't doing enough. 'Here's a better idea for the Premier: how about we start using the forecourt of the Opera House more?' he said. 'And while we're at it, remove the ridiculous noise restrictions at the Domain. That'll bring back vibrancy instantly.' 'In the past, our local parks have been destroyed by events like the Night Noodle Markets. Residents were furious.' 'But if an operator comes up with a proven plan that won't leave the park closed for months, I'm all ears.'
Sky News AU
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
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."
