City of Sydney bans major events from council parks to protect the grass

A ban on events at Sydney parks due to “climate change” fears has been labelled “ludicrous”, while event planners warn the Lord Mayor’s move is hindering attempts to bring vibrancy back to the city.

Clover Moore’s City of Sydney council is crippling attempts at bringing vibrancy back to the CBD by banning festivals in council parks due to climate change.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that the City of Sydney’s fun police are blocking any proposals for new major events in council-run parks due to fears they could damage the grass.

City of Sydney councillors on Monday night voted to reaffirm the ban, first slapped on the council’s parks in 2022.

The policy, imposed under a “Lord Mayoral Minute,” prevented “all bookings in our public parks for any existing and future events, particularly commercial events that are for more than one day”.

On Monday, council noted that “climate change is accelerating severe weather events,” and “increased rainfall in the lead up to and during outdoor commercial events … (has) resulted in significant damage to large sections of the parks.”

Damage to Prince Alfred Park in Surry Hills after the Night Noodle Markets in 2022 has led to a council-wide ban on festivals in parks. Picture: Supplied

It came after Labor councillor Olly Arkins tried to get council to approve new commercial events in Victoria Park at Broadway.

“Right now, when someone wants to do an event in our city parks, staff are forced to say no,” Cr Arkins said.

“This is about giving people a reason to stay out, to celebrate their neighbourhood, (and) to connect with others through music and creativity.”

Damage done to Prince Alfred Park in Surry Hills at 2022’s Night Noodle Market. Picture: Supplied

The ban was originally imposed after the Night Noodle Markets in 2022 turned Prince Alfred Park into a muddy quagmire.

Certain events, like the Mardi Gras Fair Day and the Yabun Festival, are exempt from the ban. The Night Noodle Markets have never returned.

Premier Chris Minns yesterday called for the ban to be overturned, to bring “vibrancy” back to the city.

Clover Moore told staff to ban major events in her council parks in 2022, to protect the grass. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“We need to be sensible here,” he said.

Industry figures declared the festival ban is damaging Sydney’s reputation as a global city.

Business Sydney Executive Director Paul Nicolaou said the policy “is having significant implications for Sydney’s cultural and economic landscape”.

Event promoter Simon Beckingham said the City of Sydney recently knocked back two proposals for new music festivals: one in Victoria Park at Broadway, and the other in Sydney Park in Alexandria.

Mardi Gras Fair Day is exempt from the festival ban. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“We’re lagging behind cities like New York, London, Paris, Los Angeles, and even Melbourne; we’re not in the same league.”

While government-owned parks like the Domain and Centennial Park are often used for festivals, they are too expensive for “smaller, boutique events,” Mr Beckingham said.

Chef Luke Mangan, who is trying to establish a new Sydney Food Festival, said banning events from council parks entirely was “ludicrous”.

The Night Noodle Markets have never returned after the 2022 damage. Photos: Chris McKeen

“A policy should be made so that people who want to revitalise the city can use council for their event, with the responsibility that they must leave it how they found it,” he said.

In a statement, a council spokesman said the state government should make it cheaper for promoters to book venues like The Domain and Tumbalong Park.

“If these spaces were more affordable there would be more options for live music offerings without events and artists being liable for the cost of returfing, or limiting residential access to their local park.”

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