Festival cap at Sydney park remains after NIMBY complaints

A huge row has erupted over the use of one of Sydney’s most iconic sites, as locals express concern over “trampled grass”.

NIMBYs have been blamed for halting a decision to increase the number of major events held at an iconic Sydney parkland which is one of the few sites in the city fit to host big music festivals.

Centennial Park has a cap of just eight major events each year and the NSW government recently decided not to raise the limit to 12 as part of a review.

It came after some locals raised concerns about noise and potential grass damage caused by punters at music events held there, such as Listen Out or Good Things.

However, this could be temporary as the government is currently considering scrapping the major events cap at the historic site in Sydney’s affluent inner east altogether.

Revellers at the Listen Out festival in Centennial Park. Picture: Instagram

A major event is considered a gathering of 20,000 people or more, and the parklands held only three of those in 2024.

Peter Tzannes, co-chair of the Centennial Park Residents Association, explained the group’s opposition to the plan in an interview on 2GB this week.

“Centennial Park itself is the backyard for many city residents who live in high-rise apartments,” he said.

“By having festivals in the parkland you are effectively privatising a portion of that park for the period in which the event is held, plus beforehand the bump in and afterwards the bump out.

“And then after that the very long process of re-establishing the grasses and the trees and the parkland itself.”

A peaceful scene in the historic parklands. Picture: John Appleyard

Program host James Willis picked up on this point, asking: “are you seriously saying to me one of the concerns you raised was … the damage to the grass?”

“Yes, certainly,” Mr Tzannes replied.

“Over the years we’ve seen huge amounts of grass damaged by the people who attend. Very often it may be wet or raining and that grass is trampled and has to be replaced.

“And be aware again, this is public land it is not private land, and therefore by having concerts on public land it becomes privatised.”

Mr Tzannes said “we’re not NIMBYS by the way”, pointing to their support of community sport at the site, but that the group was against “excess” concerts.

“What they do effectively is trash the area they’re in … but we also gave anti-social behaviour after the events, we have rubbish all over the streets, they use the streets as toilets which is awful.”

The site held less than half of its major events quota last year. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

He also conceded noise from concerts was “a real factor” in the group’s opposition: “it’s very disturbing, it goes ‘til very late at night. Yes, we oppose that.”

Greater Sydney Parklands – the state government agency that oversees the park – also opposed lifting the cap during the recent administrative review, which occurs every decade and did not include widespread public consultation.

The NSW government, however, has proposed removing the major event cap for Centennial Park as part of its Cultural State Environmental Planning Policy.

The plan seeks to create planning and regulation consistency across the state regarding music venues and cultural events.

Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully said bringing vibrancy back to NSW was a key election commitment from the Minns government.

The major events cap at nearby Allianz Stadium was lifted last year. Photo: Supplied

Nearby Allianz Stadium at Moore Park can now host 20 events after a similar event cap was lifted last year, with Premier Chris Minns describing it as an “archaic” law that “killed fun”.

“We want NSW to offer a choice of destinations for visitors, locals and workers alike,” Mr Scully said.

“As part of these proposed changes, the NSW Government is considering changes to remove the restriction on the number of large events held at Centennial Parklands and other major event venues.”

The Australian Festivals’ Association has lobbied for raising the cap at the parklands from eight to 12, with its managing director Mitch Wilson saying the current settings were a “major deterrent” for organisers.

“The decision felt like a missed opportunity to support Sydney’s live music and cultural landscape,” they said.

John Graham, the NSW Night-time Economy Minister, told 2GB this week there was a balance to be struck between the welfare of residents and a vibrant culture.

“But the real issue for Sydney is if we can’t hold these big outdoor events in Centennial Park or the Domain or some of these other key places – where are they gonna be held?” he said.

Minister for Music and the Night-Time Economy John Graham said Sydney needs venues like the parklands. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

“And the truth is as a city, if we’re really going to reach our potential, we need to be able to have a place for these events to happen.

“We’ve gotta do that in a balanced way … but we need to see these events happen.”

Mr Graham was asked whether the position of the Greater Sydney Parklands authority in opposing changes flew in the face of the government’s ambitions.

“We want to bring the city back to life, we removed the concert cap but here’s this cap in place at Centennial Park,” he said.

“The good news is … there’s a consultation going on at the moment about a whole raft of changes to the planning law … and this is one of the things we’re consulting on – should that cap remain in place, or not?

“The change hasn’t been made up ‘til now because we hadn’t consulted the community but that consultation is going on at the moment.”

The AFA’s managing director welcomed Mr Graham’s comments and said the organisation remained optimistic of changes in the future.

Originally published as Festival cap at Sydney park remains after NIMBY complaints