Opinion: More festivals in Centennial Parklands is good — if locals are considered

Sydney’s lungs are getting a bit more aerobic. Centennial Park, typically the domain of Lycra-clad cyclists and off-leash Labradors, is set to dial up the volume following news that the cap on major events is being lifted. While the precinct has long hosted the likes of Listen Out and the Electric Gardens of years past, the shift signals a broader move by the Minns government to resuscitate a nightlife that spent the better part of a decade on life support. For the city’s festival-starved masses, it’s a win; for the residents of Paddington and Woollahra, it’s a reason to check their double-glazing.

The logic behind the change is straightforward: Sydney needs places to play that aren't tucked away in industrial estates two hours from the CBD. Centennial Park offers a natural amphitheatre that is essentially unmatched in the Eastern Suburbs. By relaxing the restrictions, the Parklands Trust can secure more diverse programming and a more reliable revenue stream to maintain the sprawling grounds. It transforms the park from a passive green space into a dynamic cultural hub, ensuring the ‘Emerald City’ actually has something to do on a Saturday night other than queuing for a pub schnitzel.

However, anyone who has ever tried to catch an Uber near the Robertson Road gates after a festival knows that the logistics remain a logistical headache. When 30,000 people spill out onto Oxford Street simultaneously, the local infrastructure groans. We’ve seen the chaos at Moore Park after a double-header at the SCG and Allianz Stadium; Centennial Park lacks that same direct light rail artery, relying instead on bus corridors and the stamina of those willing to walk to Bondi Junction or Central. If we want more festivals, we need a transport plan that doesn't just hope for the best.

Then there is the ‘local’ factor. The suburbs bordering the park — Randwick, Kensington, and Centennial Park itself — are home to some of the most vocal ratepayer groups in the state. These are residents who value their quiet mornings and pristine vistas. While ‘NIMBYism’ is often used as a pejorative, there is a legitimate conversation to be had about noise spill and the physical degradation of the grass. The park shouldn't become a permanent construction zone of scaffolding and temporary fencing, or a mud pit that takes six months to recover after a rainy weekend of dancing.

The sweet spot lies in variety. Increasing the event cap shouldn't just mean more of the same high-decibel EDM festivals that cater to a single demographic. There is an opportunity here for more boutique food and wine events, open-air cinema seasons, or mid-sized jazz and folk gatherings that integrate more seamlessly into the park’s natural rhythm. This isn't just about boosting the number of days the park is ‘closed’ to the public for ticketed events; it is about ensuring those events add a layer of value to the community rather than just a layer of litter.

Ultimately, Sydney is growing up and reclaiming its status as a global city. Part of that maturity is acknowledging that our premier public spaces must work harder to serve everyone. If the authorities can manage the crowds with the same precision they apply to the heritage plantings, Centennial Park could become the world-class stage it was always meant to be. We just need to make sure the locals are invited to the party — or at least given a clear path home when the music stops.