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