2010: The year of a new Chinatown

Sydney can look forward not only to a fantastic Chinese New Year celebration but also to a revitalised Chinatown in the near future.

As well as planning a series of exciting events to celebrate Chinese New Year, City of Sydney Council has been consulting with the Chinatown community to refurbish the precinct.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the Chinese New Year celebrations would have a wide appeal.

“The City’s annual Chinese New Year Festival is a celebration of Chinese traditions, customs and
culture for the whole of Sydney to enjoy,” she said.

“More than 600,000 people attended the festival last year, making it one of Sydney’s fastest growing and most popular events.”

Haymarket Chamber of Commerce President Brad Chan said the New Year Twilight Parade on 21 February, which is the centrepiece of the celebrations, would be the best yet.

“I’m on the committee for the organising of Chinatown and just hearing some of the inside information on what’s being proposed for the floats … it’s going to be quite exciting,” he said.

“There’s a lot of people coming from interstate and even overseas for it.”

The parade will feature a special delegation of performers from Chongqing in China, who will also be promoting their arts and crafts at the Chinese New Year Markets from 12 to 14 February in Belmore Park, he said.

Mr Chan said a business forum was also in the planning that would provide an opportunity for Chinese delegates to invest in local businesses.

He said occasions such as Chinese New Year and the Moon Festival were important for businesses in Chinatown.

“It’s a good opportunity for the Chinese to promote their culture … it’s seen as an opportunity too from a wider scale to promote tourism into the area, and that’s really important for businesses,” he said.

Mr Chan also said he was pleased with the extent to which Council had consulted with the Chamber of Commerce and community in regard to the planned upgrade of the Chinatown precinct.

“One of the things Council has done is tried to involve the whole community in terms of its plans,” he said.

“One drawback is … the process takes longer than it normally would but I think Council is mindful of getting it right rather that rushing into things.”

Mr Chan said the Chamber of Commerce was pushing for a general beautification of the area.

“The area is looking tired and it’s been some time since any money was spent,” he said.

“There’s [also] some ideas about trying to utilise some other streets around the Chinatown area, everything’s focused at the moment in one or two streets … Dixon Street is just bustling and sometimes a little bit overcrowded.”

He said the Chamber had raised with Council areas that could do with a makeover.

“That whole area in front of Market City could do with some work to liven it up and make it more attractive, particularly for pedestrians and possibly [to] get some more retail activity in there,” he said.

“[But] I think overall the businesses in Chinatown do want to see investment into the streetscape which is going to make the area look brighter, look cleaner, and hopefully make it one of the best Chinatowns in the world.”

People wanting to have their say on the Chinatown upgrade can do so at a community meeting from 6:30pm on Tuesday 9 February at the Crowne Plaza Darling Harbour.

(Sidebar)

Chinese New Year 2010: Must See Events

Don’t miss the following main events. A full calendar of events can be found at www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/cny/Events/Default.aspx

Launch Celebration: Friday 12 February, 6.30pm Belmore Park
Chinese New Year Markets: Friday 12 – Sunday 14 February (Friday 10am – 4pm, Sat/Sun 11am – 10pm) Belmore Park
Twilight Parade: Sunday 21 February, 7.45pm – 9.45pm from Town Hall to Chinatown
Fireworks: Sunday 21 February, 9.45pm Cockle Bay
Dragon Boat Races Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 February, 8am – 5pm Cockle Bay