Randwick Council will allocate $20,000 for street parties after ordinary meeting

The party atmosphere will soon take over Randwick’s streets with a $20,000 war chest allocated to fund community celebrations. Find out why council is opening up its wallet.

Roads are expected to be temporarily closed in the Randwick Council LGA under a push for street parties. Picture: Linda Higginson

The party atmosphere will soon take over Randwick’s streets with a $20,000 war chest offered to fund community celebrations.

Randwick councillors voted on Tuesday night on an initiative to encourage the community to come together on local streets in a fun and safe way.

Costs associated with signage, equipment, and labour on the day of the event would be covered by council, with $20,000 in funding to be allocated.

Council papers state the parties have “proven to be successful” in the past and a number of requests had been received from residents “to temporarily close roads”.

The initiative has been in place for about three years with 30 successful street parties taking place, including events at Baird Ave, Kingsford St, Holmes St at Maroubra and Bundock Lane, Randwick.

Former Randwick mayor Dylan Parker.

“The idea first started when residents approached us seeking formal approval to safely close off laneways or no-through roads to enable local residents to celebrate together,” Randwick mayor Philipa Veitch said.

With safety at the top of council’s list, staff organise the formalities regarding traffic controls and approvals with residents only required to submit their application.

Independent councillor Noel D'Souza.

Former mayor Dylan Parker said it was “really exciting” to see the initiative come back.

“Each and every year, locals have really taken up the offer and we’ve had some really great community events,” he said. “[It] demonstrates … the street isn’t just for cars, but it’s also a place for people to get to know their neighbours.”

Despite Halloween and Christmas being the more “attractive” festive seasons for this type of event, Mr Parker said anyone with an exciting idea should “bang on our door, we’d love to hear it”.

Independent councillor Noel D’Souza echoed the sentiments saying the street parties “bring the community together” while upholding the “Sense of Community” Randwick Council is “so proud of”.

“When I lived in Coogee the street party gave me a chance to meet my neighbours who I rarely bumped into in a very congenial way and helped bring in the Christmas cheer,” he said.

“It led to village type atmosphere where we all got to know each other, and everyone felt valued and respected. It was lots of fun.”

According to council papers, Randwick Council began offering residents the option for street parties in 2018 and allocated $15,000 in funding. For the following year, $12,000 was designated.

Due to the pandemic, the initiative was halted in 2020-21 with the street parties returning in 2022 with $15,000 in funding allocated.

A further $5000 has been pitched in order to support 15 events for 2023 and according to Transport for NSW guidelines, temporary road closures are able to be approved directly by the council.