Mayor's Community Message
18 March
NEW DAY
The City of Ryde is holding its Nowruz ceremony on Friday 20 March at the Outdoor Piazza within Top Ryde City Shopping Centre from 7.00 – 8.30pm, acknowledging the Persian new year.
Nowruz, meaning ‘New Day’, marks the arrival of Spring and the renewal of life. Here in Ryde, we are proud to recognise the contributions of the Iranian, Afghan, Kurdish, Azerbaijani, Tajik, Uzbek, Kazakh, Turkmen, and other Nowruz-celebrating communities that enrich our City.
The evening will feature cultural performances, live music, face painting and a traditional Haft-Sin display as we acknowledge this important occasion and the rich heritage it represents.
This year, our Nowruz gathering is both a celebration of renewal and a moment of solidarity with families grieving for or worrying about loved ones overseas.
We come together not only to honour Persian culture, but to support each other as a community.
ENTERTAINMENT ZONE
I’m excited to report that Council has endorsed the establishment of a Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) in the Eastwood Town Centre and will pursue a Kickstart Grant from the State Government to help support its progress.
A SEP is a defined area, streetscape or single premises where Council can set out, in a precinct management plan, extended trading hours and sound controls that support live entertainment for businesses and venues.
An Eastwood SEP aligns with the actions set out in Council’s Live Music Plan 2024-2028, Economic Development Action Plan 2024-2028, and NightTime Economy Strategy (2024-2028) as well as the 24/7 library trial currently underway.
This is a wonderful incentive not only for the booming Eastwood business community but also for residents and visitors to this diverse and thriving precinct.
COMMUNITY GARDENS
Council staff will soon engage with active community groups to help identify locations for community gardens in the City of Ryde in alignment with the objectives of our Net Zero Emissions Strategic Plan.
Criteria will include land availability, access to water, soil conditions, proximity to residential areas, and alignment with sustainability objectives.
The nominated sites will be used as a starting point for community consultation and co-design, enabling local residents and groups to provide feedback and express interest in stewardship of future gardens.
The Community Garden Guidelines will be placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days, with an additional 14 days for submissions to be made.
Sincerely,
Trenton Brown – Mayor