Ambitious plans to revitalise Moore Park’s Entertainment Quarter have been significantly downsized following a wave of objections from nearby residents.
The proposal, which initially envisioned hosting community markets, live music events, and food stalls with a capacity of 8,000 people, has been reduced to accommodate just 3,000 attendees.
The project, run by the well-known businessmen John Singleton and Gerry Harvey’s Carsingha Investments, aimed to give the Entertainment Quarter’s underused areas new life.
This response has drawn criticism from those who believe the concerns are overblown.
City of Sydney Cr Lyndon Gannon expressed his disappointment, highlighting the proximity of the Entertainment Quarter to the Sydney Cricket Ground, a venue accustomed to hosting large-scale events. He emphasised the need for Sydney to regain its vibrancy and argued that restricting entertainment options is counterproductive.
Melissa Neighbour, co-founder of Sydney YIMBY, also expressed surprise at the negative feedback, particularly given the area’s relatively high average income. She suggested that a desire for quiet evenings may contribute to Sydney’s nightlife’s decline.
In response to the objections, the City of Sydney engaged in discussions with Carsingha Investments and reviewed numerous public submissions.
With its reduced capacity, the revised proposal is expected to be approved at a council meeting, subject to strict conditions. These conditions include a 10 pm curfew for music, a ban on subwoofer speakers, and requirements for crowd control measures to minimise disruption to the neighbourhood.
Michael Hodgson, CEO of The Entertainment Quarter, remains optimistic about finding a resolution that satisfies all parties. He stressed that the proposal aims to create more daily activities and attractions within the precinct.
Published Date 27-September-2024