Premier Chris Minns Slams Sydney City Council Over Event Restrictions
Sydney, 16 May,2025
*This agreggated content developed with assistance of Google Gemini AI and fact checked in the Sydney Times Newsroom
The simmering tensions between the New South Wales government and the Sydney City Council have intensified, with Premier Chris Minns doubling down on his criticism of the Council’s “overly restrictive” regulations on events in public parks. The Premier’s latest comments come amidst growing concern from artists, event organizers, and businesses that the rules are choking Sydney’s cultural vibrancy and economic potential.
“Sydney Deserves Better,” Says Minns
Speaking passionately, Premier Minns asserted that the council’s current rules are actively preventing artists and event organizers from showcasing their work, leading to a negative impact on Sydney’s cultural landscape. “Sydney is a city that thrives on creativity and innovation, but the current regulations are stifling that creativity,” Minns declared. “Sydney deserves better. We need to find a way to balance the needs of our community with the needs of our artists and event organizers.”
Council’s Rationale Under Fire: Climate Change vs. Cultural Life
While the Sydney City Council has consistently defended its policies, citing the need for public safety and the preservation of park amenity, particularly in the face of increasing severe weather events and associated park damage, Premier Minns remains unconvinced. He suggests that this justification may be masking a deeper reluctance to host events and is actively harming efforts to re-energize Sydney’s city centre.
Sources indicate that the Council’s stance was solidified in 2022 following incidents such as the Night Noodle Markets, which reportedly left Prince Alfred Park significantly damaged. However, Premier Minns argues that a more balanced approach is needed, one that doesn’t “stifle creativity” and innovation.
Impact on Grassroots Events and the Creative Economy
A significant concern raised by the Premier and echoed by the cultural sector is the disproportionate impact of these restrictions on smaller, community-focused events and emerging artists.
Many such organizations cannot afford the larger, state-run venues like the Domain or Tumbalong Park, which the Council suggests as alternatives.
Event promoter Simon Beckingham revealed that proposals for music festivals in local parks like Victoria Park and Sydney Park in Alexandria have been rejected, placing Sydney behind other major international cities in its event offerings.
This has led to fears of a “brain drain” of creative talent and a weakening of Sydney’s reputation as a global arts and culture hub.
Business Sydney Executive Director Paul Nicolaou has warned that the current policy is detrimental to both Sydney’s cultural and economic scene, impacting its standing as a truly global city.
Even prominent figures like Chef Luke Mangan, attempting to establish a new Sydney Food Festival, have described the blanket ban as unreasonable, suggesting a system where organizers are responsible for park restoration.
Minns’ Vision for a “24-Hour City” and Streamlined Approvals
Premier Minns’ intervention aligns with his government’s broader agenda to “open up Sydney and NSW for business” and foster a thriving night-time economy.
He has previously overseen the lifting of concert caps at major venues like the SCG precinct, demonstrating a clear commitment to boosting live entertainment and the associated economic benefits.
“The Premier has also announced a re-structuring of government departments, creating the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport, to centralize efforts in these key areas and support the state’s first comprehensive arts, culture, and creative industries policy, “Creative Communities.”“
Minns’ call for reform includes a more streamlined and efficient approval process for events, and he has offered to collaborate with the Council to find a workable solution. The “Creative Communities” policy also outlines plans for a “Cultural Front Door concierge” to simplify engagement between creative individuals and the government, and a reform of the Arts and Culture Funding Program to make it fairer and more accessible.6
What’s Next: A Tense Stand-Off?
The immediate future remains uncertain, but the Premier’s forceful intervention signals a significant push for change. The Sydney City Council, while defending its current stance, has not yet publicly indicated any willingness to significantly alter its approach. This sets the stage for a potentially tense stand-off between the state government and the local council, with the future of Sydney’s vibrant arts and culture scene hanging in the balance.
The ongoing dialogue will undoubtedly focus on finding a balance that ensures public safety and park preservation without stifling the creative energy that defines Sydney.
