Decision details

Moved by Councillor Worling, seconded by Councillor Arkins -

It is resolved that:

(A)       Council note:

(i)         the City of Sydney is committed to building on Oxford Street’s reputation as an iconic LGBTIQA+ precinct and a centre of buzzing activity both day and night

(ii)        the Oxford & Foley development—located at the Hyde Park end of Oxford Street and spearheaded by the TOGA Group and AsheMorgan—is a $200 million-dollar urban renewal project transforming 40% of the northern side of Oxford Street into commercial, retail, and creative cultural spaces

(iii)       the Oxford & Foley development comprises one whole block and 2-part blocks, made up of 3 buildings (Group 1, 2 and 3). Foley Street runs behind the buildings, to the north, connecting cross streets including Crown and Palmer, and serving as a vital pedestrian link

(iv)       in 2019, the City entered a 99-year leasehold arrangement with AsheMorgan to redevelop the sites

(v)        originally slated for completion by 1 July 2023, the development’s timeline suffered from heavy delays, shifting deadlines back to June 2024 with progressive delivery since. The first restored block opened in August 2025, with the final block slated for completion in the first half of 2027

(vi)       furthermore, Soho House Sydney D/2023/265 (Corner Foley and Crown) is likely to be commencing construction shortly; meaning Foley Street at Block 2 is likely to be a construction activity area until early 2028, when it is slated to open

(vii)      the extended construction hoardings and surrounding street barriers have reduced pedestrian traffic and made for a harsh operating climate in the area, according to feedback from many businesses

(viii)    to counter this, the City of Sydney concurrently accelerated nearby heritage listings, requested shopfront activations and invested in streetscape upgrades to safely integrate Oxford & Foley and the nearby Qtopia Museum into a broader, pedestrian-friendly cultural destination

(ix)       the City’s LGBTIQA+ Social and Cultural Place Strategy for Oxford Street includes priorities and actions to support the continued connection of LGBTIQA+ communities to the Oxford Street precinct

(x)        the City recognises Oxford & Foley is an important player in the evolution of the Oxford Street precinct, with unique potential to provide opportunities for social gathering, vibrant community connection and safer, more diverse pedestrian experiences

(xi)       the stretch of Foley Street between Crown and Burton Streets is at the rear of the Group 1 building; the stretch of Foley between Crown and Palmer Streets is at the rear of the Group 2 building. Both sections would benefit from external street lighting and laneway closures at the weekend for pedestrianisation and activation

(xii)      murals have been painted on the Foley Lane frontage of the Oxford & Foley development in accordance with the approved Foley Street Public Art Plan. AsheMorgan has committed to the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the public artwork

(xiii)    the City of Sydney’s Precinct and Place Activation Grants Program supports local place-based projects that bring economic benefits to local precincts and neighbourhoods, including workshops, pop-ups, street performances, installations, live music and local festivals

(xiv)    as per the City of Sydney Public Domain Design Codes, lighting, specifically, can also help to reinforce a sense of place and be a mode for creative and artistic expression

(B)       Council further note:

(i)         any proposal for street closures, pedestrianisation, markets and similar activation activities within Foley Street are not related to the existing development consents and would instead be a matter for the relevant City teams responsible for public domain operations, events, traffic management, etc

(ii)        any street closures and activation would not be facilitated through a development application (DA) process

(iii)       no external building lighting is currently approved under the development consents for the TOGA buildings (i.e. D/2020/1071 for the Group 1 and Group 2 buildings and D/2020/1072 for the Group 3 building), with conditions 119 and 83 respectively requiring that separate applications be made for any external lighting

(C)       in consultation with AsheMorgan and TOGA where appropriate, the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)         investigate opportunities to further activate Foley Street, including but not limited to:

(a)        installing lighting or artistic work between the Oxford & Foley Street development and the public domain, taking into consideration the Soho House works commencing at Group 2

(b)        street closures for the activation of the Taylor Square markets or other pop-up markets, especially during Mardi Gras and during the Taylor Square upgrade for electrification and water works

(ii)        update Council on the outcome of investigations via the CEO Update.

Carried unanimously.

X113756