The Open Streets program makes it easier for councils to turn main roads into centres of life. Photo: Transport for NSW.
The NSW Government is providing support for local councils to hold festivals and other events in an effort to bolster community spirit by enticing people to enjoy socialising in their own neighbourhoods.
Some $14.65 million will go to the Open Streets 2025-28 program, which provides councils with resources to create free community events such as the Canterbury-Bankstown Council’s Love Earlwood – Meet You at the Plateia Festival.
On 20 September, the festival transformed Clarke Street and Earlwood Avenue into a centre of culture, music and cuisine.
Part of the government’s reasoning behind the push for more free community events is the desire to create more lively main streets so they may serve as more than just thoroughfares for traffic.
“Too often our main streets are something we drive through, rather than drive to,” Transport Minister John Graham said.
”Our main streets are a critical part of our social infrastructure, and this program demonstrates how we can use our streets to bring communities together and drive revenue for local businesses.
“The Open Streets program temporarily transforms our main streets into thriving, vibrant public event spaces. ”
Under the previous government, councils and organisers could face costs of up to $122,000 to open up a street for an event, a barrier that prevented communities from being able to use their own public spaces.
The Open Streets program seeks to stop this, with 46 councils across the state, from the Tweed to Bega, Broken Hill and Sydney, securing funding under the initiative.
Following a grants process, the Canterbury Bankstown Council received $350,000 to deliver the festival over the next three years.
More than 30 stallholders were present on the day, including a variety of cuisines from the area’s rich ethnic and cultural groups, such as Greek, Lebanese, Italian and Turkish.
A broad range of performers and groups from across the area’s cultural, ethnic and religious communities were present, including:
- Pepa Molina’s Flamenco Ensemble “Las Flamenkas”
- Balkan Boogie and Dusha Balkana performers
- An all-women Lebanese drumming group
- Greek Orthodox Community of NSW dance group
- Latin-American singer Lily Guerrero
- George Nikolopoulos and friends band
- Earlwood Public School students’ dance ensemble
- A performance from All Saints Grammar students
- Sousaphonics Brass Band.
The line-up was complemented by a range of children’s activities such as a free glamour day spa and rides.
“I’m absolutely thrilled that the NSW Government recognises the value of our local events, and that the Earlwood Festival is back where it belongs – at the heart of our community,” Member for Canterbury Sophie Cotsis said.
“This ongoing funding over the next three years will ensure the festival continues to grow as a much-loved annual event that brings people together and celebrates everything that makes Earlwood special.”
More information on the Open Streets program is available on the NSW Government’s website.
