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 Oxford Street needs to retain and redefine its GLBT and bohemian character in order for it to survive, says the City’s newly-appointed cultural planner.
At a community forum organised by the Sydney Council on Monday night, Deborah Mills, the council’s Oxford Street Cultural Coordinator, said that culture lies at the heart of every successful urban renewal strategy. As such, Oxford Street will need to implement strategies that will foster and nurture arts and culture or risk becoming economically unviable.
Mills, who will be overseeing the council’s cultural strategy for Oxford Street for the next five years, said these include strategies such as establishing artist studios, involving art schools and students, staging an emerging designers market, and creating more ways for people to celebrate Oxford Street’s history, such as the existing self-guided tour.
The gathering was the second GLBT community forum of members to be hosted by the City of Sydney.
Earlier, the crowd was addressed by a string of council personnel who gave the audience an insight into their role and contribution towards working with the GLBT community, including GLBT Project Co-ordinator Pip Ditzell, and Events Manager Michael Abbott. Event Producer Gillian Minervini also unveiled plans to extend the popular Art and About festival in October to include Oxford Street and Erskineville.
Superintendent Donna Adney also addressed the audience with an update on the police’s work on addressing homophobic violence. But she expressed her frustration about the level of anti-social behaviour on Oxford Street. She said she warned licensees about drastic action being taken if there wasn’t demonstrable change in the level of intoxication on the strip.
Photo: Peter Hackney
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