Good Neighbourhood BBQs: not an election tactic

Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP has denied the ‘Good Neighbourhood BBQ’ program is an election tactic.

City News last week speculated whether the dates for the BBQs purposely coincided with the imminent election.

But the City of Sydney’s ‘Good Neighbourhood BBQ’ has been running for six years and are held every February and March to correspond with International Neighbour Day.

A City of Sydney spokesperson said Ms Moore does not usually attend the BBQs.

“Clover is not even mentioned in the flyer… she is not scheduled to go to any of them.”

The spokesperson said the BBQs provide an opportunity for residents to discuss safety issues and hear about planned improvements in the area.

“They are held to give residents a chance to get to know their neighbours [and] meet local police and council staff.”

“It is about creating safe neighbourhoods.”

According to research conducted by the Safe City unit, the safest communities are those where people get to know each other and meet at events.

The spokesperson said they had been extremely successful, with approximately 150 people attending each BBQ.

This year they are being held in Glebe, Newtown, Zetland, Pyrmont, Millers Point, East Sydney, Waterloo, Darlington and Redfern.

by Sophie Cousins