Clover pushes for change to EQ Masterplan

Planning Minister Tony Kelly has refused Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore’s request to review the Entertainment Quarter Masterplan.

Ms Moore’s request was directed to the Planning Minister in July in response to complaints by local residents about outdoor events in the Entertainment Quarter impacting on amenities and including issues as noise, waste and security problems.

In her letter, Ms Moore pointed out that since 1999 the EQ Masterplan has only required development approval for events in the show ring where 2,000 or more tickets are sold.

However, up to 6,000 tickets have been sold for events in other parts of the EQ in recent years and these events do not require development approval.

The Planning Minister’s office declined to comment as to why he had refused to amend the masterplan.

A spokesperson for the Lord Mayor said Ms Moore sees this as a big picture issue and that all events staged in the EQ should go through proper process. Ms Moore is currently looking at opportunities in Parliament to pursue the issue further.

By Tamara Smallhorn