Double Bay Christmas Fair organisers stunned as residents fight plans for family-friendly event

A NIMBY battle is brewing over plans for a free Christmas fair in Sydney’s wealthy eastern suburbs, stunning organisers who wanted to unite the community with family-friendly fun.

NIMBY grinches have set their sights on a family-friendly Christmas fair, stunning organisers with claims the festivities would cause a “loss of peace” in Sydney’s wealthy eastern suburbs.

A group of nearby residents has taken aim at plans to hold the Double Bay Christmas Fair in Steyne Park, complaining that it would be too noisy, create litter and clog local roads.

The opposition has astounded event organisers, who want to stage the free fair to bring the community together with Christmas carols, face painting, busker-style music, fete stalls, amusement rides for children and an evening fireworks display on November 30.

Woollahra Council has received 14 public submissions as it assesses whether the fair can proceed, including 12 from people objecting to the plan.

Local resident Anthony Tregoning said he was concerned about the event’s impact on the neighbourhood, including the grass.

The proposed event would be held at Steyne Park.

“Amplified music and announcements would disturb residents in surrounding streets and areas as far away as Edgecliff and Bellevue Hill,” he said.

“They should not be allowed in this residential area.

The event would run from 11am to 8pm.

“There is likely to be damage to the grass which will take considerable time to be restored.”

Double Bay Residents’ Association president Katherine Grinberg has written to Woollahra Council calling for the event not to proceed, saying it could set a “precedent for other organisations to apply to use the park”.

The Bay Street Initiative, which is organising the fear, has been flummoxed by the backlash, with a spokeswoman saying the event was not intended to be a “large-scale” music festival or “raucous” nightclub.

“It will start at 11am and finish by 8pm. There’ll be some live music, but it’s not going to run late into the evening or impact people’s sleep,” she said.

The event would include market stalls.

“It’s a Christmas fair targeted at children and families, not a raucous event.

“It’s quite typical to get this kind of feedback from residents’ associations who tend to object to anything, but our overarching message is that it will be a positive event for Double Bay.”

Another of the organisers, John Keenan, said the team behind the plan had gone to great lengths to mitigate against noise and parking issues.

“We have done this before on a much smaller scale and it’s a free, family-orientated, community event,” he said.

“It used to happen in Double Bay prior to Covid happening, and it was very well-received by the community.

“Most of the objections received, we would argue they are misinformed.”

John Keenan, one of the Christmas fair organisers, at Steyne Park on Tuesday. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Mr Keenan, 19, added that the event would be “very tame, very quiet and very tasteful”.

“It’s very much in line with the Double Bay taste to preserve the village feel,” he said.

“We are sensitive to that while trying to re-introduce fun, community events to the area.”

Ben Brazil, who is working with organisers to arrange music acts for the events, also said he was surprised plans for the event has been met with controversy.

“In most communities people are very welcoming and treasure their annual community events, but I think in these more affluent suburbs you often get more opposition,” he said.

Plans for the event show the fair would include a management plan to address potential impacts, including traffic, noise and parking congestion.

Organisers expect a maximum of 5000 people to attend the free event, which Woollahra Mayor Sarah Swan said she “wholeheartedly” supported.

“Young families are constantly looking for community events like this because they’re worried about their children spending too much time indoors and on devices,” she said.

“For a one-day event, the sound of children laughing is something I’m very willing to accept.

“It’s essential that the council supports these types of events that foster a sense of community.”

Yolanda Stevens (centre) and Susan Pollak (right), who are stunned by objections to the Christmas fair, in Double Bay with Edith Stephan (left) on Monday. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Double Bay residents Susan Pollak and Yolanda Stevens, 76, said calls for the Christmas fair to be cancelled were part of a bigger NIMBY problem plaguing the suburb and Sydney at large.

“There has always been something happening once a year there (for Christmas),” Ms Pollak said.

“It shouldn’t be cancelled. One day wouldn’t hurt the neighbours.

“The families, the children will be disappointed as everything is taken away.

“To be honest with you, Double Bay isn’t the same as it used to be anyway. It’s actually quite sad.

“Since Covid, it’s like the morgue … a lot of places have closed down. It’s actually sad. Sydney is sad.”

Looking around the bare Double Bay town centre on Tuesday afternoon, Ms Stevens said her generation knew how to have “more fun”.

“You could shoot a gun (here) and you wouldn’t hit anyone,” Ms Stevens said. “It’s boring.”

Robyn McGinley, who described objections to the event as unreasonable. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Collaroy mother Robyn McGinley, who was shopping in Double Bay, said objections to the Christmas fair were unreasonable given the event was about bringing people together for a day of festivities and family entertainment.

“I think we need to keep up the tradition and keep it going,” Ms McGinley said.

“There’s enough ‘nos’ around here … we (make) so many sacrifices now in this country, so let’s keep it going and enjoy it.

“The grass will grow back and I think the peace will come back the next day. It’s all about having fun.”

Timothy Turner-Sutton in Double Bay with daughter Naia Turner-Sutton, 3. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Coogee dad Timothy Turner-Sutton, 41, was surprised some locals wanted the fair cancelled, saying it built up community spirit.

“I think it’s very important,” he said.

“I think the Christmas spirit brings us all together and gives us a place to come together as a community.”

The council is due to make a decision on whether the event can be approved at a meeting this week.