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

The former DCM premises at the western end of Oxford Street are set to become a restaurant, bar and function venue for 305 people. The Mediterranean’s website advertises its availability for functions such as hen’s nights and buck’s nights.

On 28th December 2009, the development application was granted consent by Council’s planning department under delegation of Council, subject to a number of conditions. They considered that “the proposal will have no significant detrimental effect relating to environmental, social or economic impacts on the locality...” and that it “will have no detrimental effect on the public interest” – all “subject to appropriate conditions being imposed”. They believe those conditions will “minimise amenity impacts on residential properties”. We don’t agree.

All Councillors were asked to call the application before a meeting of the Planning Development and Transport Committee – no-one did.

As previously reported on this site, the NSW Land & Environment Court recently upheld the City of Sydney's refusal of an increase in patron numbers at The Gaff nightclub. Evidence presented by NSW Police and local residents led the Commissioner to determine that the locality already suffered from unacceptable levels of antisocial behaviour and therefore any increase in patron numbers would also be unacceptable.

At a subsequent Hearing, the Commissioner focused primarily on heritage and Plan of Management issues and on 9/12/09 determined that the expansion of The Gaff into the adjacent premises at 10-14 Oxford Square (minus the requested increase in patronage) would be approved.

An inner-city hotel notorious for alcohol-fuelled violence and anti-social behaviour is to be turned into the city's first designated cycling hub.

Taylor Square Hotel off Oxford Street has been the site of numerous assaults in recent years, with drunken patrons frequently sprawled outside the entrance on a Sunday morning.

Click here to read the full article at The Sydney Morning Herald

Development Approval was given on 1/9/09 by the City of Sydney Planning Department, under delegation of Council, for an expansion of The Colombian Hotel into the adjacent premises at 125 Oxford Street. This development has since completed construction and is currently in operation. Development Approval was also given for the expansion of the Kinselas Hotel into the adjacent building at 381 Bourke Street at a meeting of Council on 23/11/09. Construction is yet to commence.

Both developments relate to the modification or increase in size of the gaming (pokies) areas within the hotels.