Oxford Street precinct

Sydney WorldPride is one of the biggest events to come to our city since the Olympics in 2000, and we’ve made supporting it a priority.

We’ve increased our commitment to this global event to $1.7 million, including activating Oxford Street as the festival’s focal point. Sydney WorldPride incorporates all the beloved Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras events including the world-renowned parade. The parade returns to Oxford Street in time for the 45th anniversary of Mardi Gras. The festival includes a broad program across arts, sport, theatre, concerts, parties, First Nations programming and a human rights conference.

Sydney WorldPride is from Friday 17 February to Sunday 5 March 2023.

Oxford Street is one of Sydney’s busiest cycling routes.

The cycleway on Oxford and Liverpool streets will create an important link in the bike network, connecting the city centre to the east.

This project was open for consultation at the end of 2021. Contributions to the consultation are closed for evaluation and review. The project team reported the outcomes to Council which endorsed the concept design in February 2022.

Detailed design is currently underway and work is planned to start after WorldPride 2023.

Oxford Street’s LGBTIQA+ identity will be prioritised and protected under our new strategy.

Oxford Street has long been recognised as the home of Sydney’s LGBTIQA+ communities and we want to keep it that way. We’ve consulted widely on ways to revitalise the precinct and have incorporated community feedback and aspirations into the strategy.

The strategy is the first of its kind in Australia and one of only a handful in the world. It sets out principles and priorities to recognise, preserve and promote the significant connection LGBTIQA+ communities have with Oxford Street.

A network of passionate local businesses, community organisations and individuals who are committed to celebrating and sharing in LGBTIQA+ identity and culture across the Oxford Street precinct.

We’ve reviewed the planning rules for Oxford Street and surrounds in Darlinghurst to secure the precinct’s creative and cultural future.

In 2021 we invited feedback on new planning rules for the Oxford Street cultural and creative precinct. We heard that people value the strong connection between Oxford Street and LGBTIQA+ communities.

In response to community feedback on aspirations, needs and concerns for Oxford Street, we developed a LGBTIQA+ social and cultural place strategy.

The new planning controls were approved by Council and the Central Sydney Planning Committee in April 2022.

We’re currently working with the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment to publish them.