City of Sydney Bans Music Festivals, Large Events in Multiple Parks

The City of Sydney has reaffirmed a ban on large-scale events such as music festivals and food markets in several council-managed public parks, citing climate change-driven extreme weather and resulting damage to park turf as the primary reasons. This move affects key locations including Hyde Park, Sydney Park, Pirrama Park, and Victoria Park, with only a few one-day events still permitted. The ban has faced significant criticism from event producers, business leaders, and NSW Premier Chris Minns, who labeled the climate change rationale as a "massive stitch-up" and urged the council to be honest about their intentions, emphasizing the need to maintain Sydney's vibrancy as a world city. Despite the ban, major festivals held in state-managed venues like Centennial Park and The Domain remain unaffected. Council representatives have proposed alternative event locations such as laneways, vacant building lots, and civic spaces like Martin Place, while also highlighting the high costs of park remediation, which can reach up to $250,000. The debate continues over balancing the preservation of green spaces with supporting Sydney’s cultural and economic vitality.