“There are plans for a new cultural centre or museum devoted to LGBTQI+ history”.
10 years after I first started campaining for an LGBTI+ museum in the Oxford Street precinct, during which time the Lord Mayor Clover Moore and her political party continuously vehemently opposed the idea, I’m glad the City of Sydney will be ‘exploring’ the idea. Better late than never.
The area around Oxford Street is the spiritual, historical and cultural heart of Sydney’s LGBTI community. The work that the City is doing in this area is vital to its history and longevity. I look forward to following the progress of this work over the coming months.
Sydney’s Oxford Street desperately needs significant investment to make it a world-class entertainment, shopping, community precinct which we are all proud of. This is the home of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and the heartland of the LGBTI community. There has been no significant investment in the street for decades, the buildings are crumbling, shops closed and nightlife has declined. It’s an embarrassment and not what we want for our beloved Oxford Street.
The petition is to support the City of Sydney‘s change to the planning code which allows commercial properties on Oxford Street to add an additional two levels on top of existing height limits and also add an underground level. The new levels need to be bars, restaurants, entertainment, hotels, office space, community space, gyms, retail. An entertainment precinct. The plan is not for more residential.
Supporting these planning changes which provide additional floorspace will ensure that the investment into the street can happen.
The national World AIDS Day theme for Australia in 2021 is 40 years of HIV – where to next? World AIDS Day aims to encourage Australians to educate themselves and others about HIV; to take action to reduce the transmission of HIV by promoting prevention strategies; and to ensure that people living with HIV can participate fully in the life of the community, free from stigma and discrimination.
It was surreal to see the reinvigoration of the Oxford Street strip as more and more business start to open up again. I look forward to what extra nightlife this post-covid environment brings and will always advocate for the businesses and community of Sydney as we navigate our way out of this once in a lifetime pandemic.
Absolutely delighted to host the official unveiling ceremony of the Sydney Tusk Lion installation on the steps of beautiful Sydney Town Hall this afternoon in the presence of Her Excellency the Honorable Margaret Beazley AC QC and Tony Abbott.
This global art installation project raises public awareness of the plight of the African lion and has already raised vital funds to support community conservation and livelihoods impacted by Covid-19 across Africa.
For more information about Tusk check out their website: www.tuskliontrail.com




I am looking forward to representing the City of Sydney at the unveiling of the Sydney Tusk Lion as part of the global Tusk Lion Trail 2021 this Monday on the steps of Sydney Town Hall with Her Excellency the Hon Margaret Beasley AC QC and Tony Abbott.
Under the proactive Royal Patronage of His Royal Highness, The Duke of Cambridge, the Tusk charity, has raised and invested more than $100 million into conservation and community livelihoods programs spanning the African continent.
This global art installation project raises public awareness of the plight of the African lion and has already raised vital funds to support community conservation and livelihoods impacted by Covid-19 across Africa.
For more information about Tusk check out their website: https://www.tuskliontrail.com/



