Paddington NIMBYs Protest Children’s Puppet Show

Paddington residents are protesting an upcoming children’s puppet show after plans were released for its two-week stint at Paddington Reserve Gardens.

Nearby residents and business owners have claimed the event would be too disturbing, and may even lead to an uptick in crime.

Part of the Sydney Art and About festival, the performance from internationally recognised arts company Erth Visual and Physical stars a four-metre-tall puppet named Fauna, and explores themes of climate change in a whimsical, child-friendly setting.

In a letter to the City of Sydney Council, resident Robyn Hands has labelled the event “excessive in the extreme”, and raised concerns of the impacts “on surrounding residents due to excessive noise, both from crowds and performances.”

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, owner of a nearby jewellery store, Steven Sher, claimed the event would attract up to “600 teenagers”, who may “urinate and defecate” in the parkland.

“That age group unfortunately have little respect for property or even themselves (and) they will take no care of the history that has been uncovered in the reservoir,” he said.

“Fuelled by drugs and alcohol, (they will) take risks such as hanging over the bridges and railing which will end in serious harm or death to themselves.”

MP dismisses another instance of NIMBYism 

Backlash against similar events has become commonplace around Sydney, as people move into cultural hubs only to oppose the noise in their new neighbourhood.

Arts Minister John Graham said that the state government had “worked hard to implement a much better approach to noise complaints and live performance”.

“It is no longer only neighbours with objections pulling the strings in Sydney,” he said.

“Common sense would suggest that a puppet show for children should be able to be held successfully while keeping audiences and neighbours happy.

In an attempt to revitalise Sydney’s nightlife, the Minns government has introduced initiatives such as the Special Entertainment Precincts across the city, allowing businesses and events to 

Planning documents for the performance state that the event would only have a “slight impact” on the gardens and would involve a strict management plan to alleviate the impacts of light and noise, including regular sound level checks.

The show, if approved by the City of Sydney Council, would run from September 4 to 20 from 5pm to 10pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.