Plans to dramatically expand the number of events that can be held at Moore Park have provoked outrage from nearby residents who say the area will worsen existing problems with noise, congestion and antisocial behaviour.
Carsingha Investments, the owner of the Entertainment Quarter (EQ), wants to use part of the precinct for outdoor recreation and temporary events for up to 8000 people between 7am and midnight every day of the year.
The owner of the Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park has submitted plans to hold more events in part of the precinct.Credit: Flavio Brancaleone
A development application submitted to the City of Sydney seeks approval for temporary events such as markets, busking and concerts featuring DJs up to 52 days a year, as well as unlimited use of the site for film and TV production, sports and food and beverage stalls.
The EQ is an entertainment and retail precinct in Moore Park next to Disney (formerly Fox) Studios and the Sydney Cricket Ground that was the former home of the Royal Agricultural Show and now houses restaurants, bars, a cinema, shops and live events.
The site is currently occupied by a basketball court and the Sydney Roosters HQ situated in a two-storey building that will be knocked down next year.
More sporting events would be held at the EQ’s coach bay site under plans submitted to the City of Sydney.Credit: Entertainment Quarter
EQ co-chief executive Michael Hodgson said the proposed activities were consistent with the existing planning framework for the precinct.
“The new spaces in question are located at a point furthest away geographically from the residential areas,” he said.
Hodgson said the DA was not seeking changes to the current approved noise levels.
“Any specific music concert proposed in these spaces would still need to follow the current planning approval pathway and apply for a separate DA,” he said.
However, the plan to hold more events has provoked concern from Centennial Park residents who have raised concerns about security and a lack of policing in written submissions to the council.
“Cook Road residents will not appreciate more noise and more crowds in a nice suburb,” one wrote. “There are already issues with large events at the SCG and Allianz and public transport and traffic jams associated with events.”
The Minns government’s plan to boost the number of concerts permitted at Allianz Stadium has also provoked a backlash from residents concerned about noise, traffic and parking.
Residents said their health and well-being would be detrimentally affected if the council permits more events at EQ.
Another resident wrote that lots of noise would be generated by a “frenzy of activity, which I believe will impact the health and quality of life of everybody that lives in this area”.
“Noise pollution causes many health problems including hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep disturbance, stress, mental health and cognition problems among others,” she said.
The proposal was an “open-ended attack” on the amenity of EQ’s neighbours, according to another resident’s submission.
“Moore Park and the local communities are impacted by the noise, the antisocial behaviour of patrons, massive traffic gridlock and even graffiti on our homes,” he said. “This area is saturated with events that are hardly family-friendly but rather centre around alcohol.”
Sydney Independent MP Alex Greenwich said noise mitigation measures had not protected residents from excessive noise in the past and suggested concerts with amplified music should be excluded.
“Residents need respite from back-to-back concerts, and they need hours of operation that respect their need to sleep, and maximum noise levels that protect their right to the peaceful enjoyment of their home,” he said.
City of Sydney Liberal councillor Lyndon Gannon had little sympathy for residents’ concerns.
“NIMBYs will NIMBY and Boomers will boom,” he said.
Gannon wants more events happening at Moore Park, including the sports stadiums and EQ.
“While I can appreciate the concerns of residents of Cook Road, I also have a city full of young people living in share houses complaining about the lack of nightlife and fun,” he said.
Gannon said the easiest political approach would be to “kowtow” to residents, but the city needed more vibrancy.
“It’s at risk of turning into a retirement village,” he said.
A City of Sydney spokeswoman said the proposed uses for the site were permissible with consent under planning rules, with the council assessing the potential impacts including noise and traffic.
Last year, a number of DAs were approved for the coach bay site for temporary music events held over summer, she said. “We did not receive any complaints in relation to these events.”
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