Mosman's night-time economy has received a boost with the NSW Government providing funding for the delivery of four evening events in 2024.
Open Streets Mosman is a six-month street-activation program and includes a street party and themed night markets coordinated by Mosman Council.
Events are free to attend and feature live music and entertainment, food by local businesses and activities for families, older residents and young people, activating the night-time economy.
The program kicked off with the successful staging of the WinterFeast Night Market on 20 June, with attractions such as stilt walkers and fire dancers bringing the winter market's 'fire and ice' theme to life, together with artisan market stalls, gourmet food and beverage tastings, and fashion, jewellery and textile offerings celebrating the tastes and flavours of the season.
Other highlights on the program include a Mosman Street Party on 19 October at Mosman Junction, with a wide selection of dining and entertainment options at the intersection of Military Road, Middle Head Road and Bradleys Head Road. Part of Middle Head Road and Bradleys Head Road will be closed for the event.
Two more themed night markets are also planned in Mosman's main civic precinct, including the OctoberFeast Germanic/European style event on 24 October and a Christmas Twilight Market on 12 December.
Council was successful in applying for a $111,900 grant under Transport for NSW's Open Streets Program, which is part of the NSW Government's Vibrant Streets Package. The program supports local councils to temporarily close streets to vehicles and open them up to people.
Mosman Mayor Carolyn Corrigan said the funding was a significant and much welcomed boost to Council's efforts to deliver and support night-time activity in Mosman for the benefit of local businesses and the community.
"These types of events are well suited to the village lifestyle that makes Mosman unique and so loved by our residents," she said.
"We know economic and social issues are presenting challenges for many sectors of our community, be it the cost of running a small business, or lack of community connection for some residents."
The Open Streets Program aims to inject vibrancy into streets and help create thriving, local places which support businesses, creative sectors and the community through events and activations.
"Our streets are key public spaces that play a role in supporting local businesses, community connection and physical and mental well-being, and this project is a great opportunity to further boost Mosman's night-time economy and enhance people's enjoyment of the area," Mayor Corrigan said.
Minister for Roads, Arts, Music and the Night-Time Economy, Jobs and Tourism John Graham said: "We're excited to support this event in Mosman.
"Too often our main streets are something we drive through, rather than drive to. Our streets are a critical part of our public and social infrastructure. Great streets make great towns and centres and reflect the local community and culture.
"The Open Streets program is about temporarily transforming our main streets into vibrant and welcoming public event spaces.
"The colour and diversity of these 130 events celebrates the unique personality of each town or suburb. This is what our vibrancy agenda is all about, backing locals to create events and entertainment that works for their local community."
