Adelaide City councillor Alexander Hyde calling for new ‘night mayor’ position to help improve city bars and clubs
COVID-19 restrictions have prevented businesses in the city’s entertainment precinct from opening. Now, an Adelaide City councillor has a plan to help them get back on their feet.
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Night-life in the CBD would be revitalised under a renewed plan to appoint a “night-time mayor” to oversee the entertainment districts.
On Tuesday night, Cr Alexander Hyde will ask Adelaide City Council to consider creating the independent, paid position to help entertainment precincts recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19.
The mayor would be responsible for promoting live music, entertainment and hospitality, as well as managing and improving relations between businesses, residents and Town Hall.
The council looked into appointing night mayor in 2016, following a push from former lord mayor Martin Haese.
However, councillors at the time said it would be “politically damaging”.
Cr Hyde told The Messenger the appointment of a night mayor – which would not take any responsibilities away from Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor – would bring Adelaide into line with the likes of New York and Amsterdam.
“Adelaide’s night-life has come in leaps and bounds in recent years, but we do need someone to advocate on its behalf,” Cr Hyde said.
“We need to make sure it (the city’s night-life) is supported and continue its ongoing growth; Adelaide has done such good work as of late and I would really hate to see COVID-19 undo that good work.
“We need someone to bridge that gap between residents, businesses and government.”
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A recent Harvard University study found that having a night mayor to “(mediate) between those who wish to work, party or sleep” was “challenging traditional approaches to urban governance”.
“There seems to be growing consensus on the need for permanent nocturnal governance structures,” the study said.
City South Association president David Bolton “saw benefits” in the position and what it could bring to the economy.
But Adelaide West End Association chairman Andrew Wallace said his group would not support the position.
“They (the council) need to take the night-time economy seriously, because they don’t always do that, and calling someone the night-time mayor is not what needs to be done,” he said.
