March 2010

The NSW Government has released a new plan of measures to reduce alcohol-related crime and anti-social drunken behaviour in our main entertainment districts - including Oxford Street. Actions include extending the liquor licence freeze (due to expire on 24th June 2010) for a further 12 months, increased late night transport options across targeted entertainment districts, strengthened regulation of the most violent licensed premises and powers to regulate trading hours. New rules also target alcohol-related violence from party boats, karaoke venues, party buses and large scale events

More detail of the Hassle Free Nights plan can be seen on its dedicated website www.nsw.gov.au/hassle-free-nights

When: Tuesday 23rd March 2010, 7.00pm to 9.00pm

Where: The Beauchamp Hotel, Corner of Oxford & South Dowling Streets. Upstairs in the Terrace Bar

Organiser: 2010 in Transition - Transition Sydney Inc

Why this meeting?

Our 2010 area – Darlinghurst-Surry Hills has many challenges – things that don’t work that well: - divided by a heavily trafficked, pedestrian and bike unfriendly Oxford Street; loss of character and attraction needed to support a vibrant day-time local economy on the Oxford Street strip and nearby streets; Significant drug, alcohol, violence and alcohol problems impacting both residents and business owners.

At the same time our area has many natural assets – bright, well-intentioned people, social diversity, great location close to the CBD, harbour etc, accessibility to public transport and so on. And we are motivated to work on overcoming the problems to make this area more liveable for residents and more viable for local businesses. At the same time, a growing number of us are realising that over the medium to longer term we face great challenges from the combined impacts of peak oil and climate change, which threaten even fundamental items like food and energy affordability and security of supply. We are also motivated to be proactive in exploring and pursuing ways we can help our local community become more resilient and self-reliant faced with these threats.

We are inspired by the possibilities represented by such local initiatives as Transition Towns, Sustainability Street, the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, Local First, Food Connect, Permaculture groups and others. All these combine a strong ethical basis, deep commitment to sustainable living and pragmatic, practical solutions that empower community members to work together and build local economic and social resilience. We are also encouraged by the strong commitment to sustainability of the City of Sydney and its Sustainable Sydney 2030 vision and strategy, and are keen to get on with it.

And we ask ourselves the question – can we emulate these successful models of change? Can we do this in our area? (The answer, of course is: “Yes we can!”).

So we invite all the people who live here and/or make their living here to join us in exploring what we can achieve by working together. We know that the right people will come.

The Colombian Hotel, located at 117-125 Oxford Street, has lodged a Development Application (D/2007/2517/B) to continue 24 hour trading for a further 5 year period. The venue is a 'Level One' declared premises under the NSW Government's ranking of most violent venues in the state with 19 or more assaults recorded over a 12 month period. 

The City of Sydney Late Night Trading Development Control Plan specifies that extended trading hours are a privilege and will only be granted based on the success of any previous trial period and the ongoing demonstration of good management.

In the lead up to Mardi Gras, Sydney topped the list of the world’s most gay friendly cities. But does Darlinghurst deserve its ranking as one of the best gay destinations in the world? In August of last year, the Daily Telegraph officially declared Oxford Street straight, with heterosexual venues now outnumbering gay bars on the strip by three to one. Sydney’s pink precinct has been on the road to ruin for a decade...

Read the full article in City Hub here