Construction is under way on a new raised intersection at Bourke and Forbes streets in Darlinghurst to proudly celebrate people of diverse sexualities and genders.
Featuring the Progress Pride flag design, the colourful, painted, permanent intersection will create a safer crossing of streets alongside Taylor Square. It will lead people to the recently opened Qtopia Sydney, a centre for queer history and culture housed in the former Darlinghurst police station.
"We understand visibility and inclusion are key to a vibrant, welcoming and safe city and Sydney is committed to loudly declaring our support for LGBTIQA+ locals and visitors," Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO said.
"These rainbows at Taylor Square celebrate diversity, and we're committed to building on Oxford Street's reputation as an iconic precinct, buzzing with activity day and night."
The City of Sydney also recently updated the rainbow crossing between Bourke and Campbell streets at Taylor Square and the 90m rainbow footpath in Prince Alfred Park in Surry Hills with the more inclusive Progress Pride flag design.
The Progress Pride flag adds elements to the traditional rainbow flag to represent First Nations people and people of colour, as well as trans, gender diverse and nonbinary people.
The new and updated rainbow road works are the result of a 2023 City of Sydney Council decision.
The Lord Mayor said the new rainbows are one way the City of Sydney is maintaining cultural heritage as the stars align for a revitalised Oxford Street.
"We recently updated the planning controls for Oxford Street to unlock more development investment and create new cultural and creative space," the Lord Mayor said.
"During consultation for the new controls we heard that people value the strong connection between Oxford Street and LGBTIQA+ communities and wanted to see its social and cultural heritage recognised and maintained.
"We worked closely with a diverse and passionate group of local businesses, community organisations and individuals to develop the Oxford Street LGBTIQA+ social and cultural place strategy, to safeguard the identity and culture of the precinct.
"The strategy is one of only a handful in the world to explore ways to protect and preserve LGBTIQA+ culture and communities, and the first of its kind in Australia.
"The City of Sydney is entirely committed to the revitalisation of Oxford Street and the stars are really aligning to see the famous strip reach its full potential. Significant building refurbishment across three blocks is currently under way, with the first expected to be complete and open to the public before next Mardi Gras.
"Our new planning controls are already driving greater cultural and creative investment, encouraging a vibrant mix of new development and protecting important heritage. The cycleway and streetscape improvements will also be completed soon, and we intend to introduce Special Entertainment Precinct status for the area this term of Council.
"The City of Sydney's long-term vision is for a greener Oxford Street with slowed traffic, improved pedestrian activity and cycling, and more and better public spaces. We want the strip to be a celebration of LGBTIQA+ culture and community and a destination and workplace for culture and creatives, with more businesses and local services in the street's heritage buildings."
Work to create the new raised intersection includes raising part of the road, upgrading the footpath and improving drainage. It will take around three months to complete. Once the surface has set, the crossing will be painted, just in in time for Mardi Gras 2025.
