Sydney will soon have a new rainbow crossing at Taylor Square, five years after it was unceremoniously removed in the dead of night.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said its return to Taylor Square at the corner of Bourke and Campbell streets was a victory for Sydney's LGBTQI community.
"Our beautiful Oxford Street rainbow crossing became a global sensation in 2013 and it was devastating when it was removed with no warning in the middle of the night," the Lord Mayor said.
"The news that it will be reinstated is incredibly significant on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras on 24 June and a powerful acknowledgement of the importance of our LGBTQI community and history.
"I want to thank NSW Roads Minister Melinda Pavey and the RMS for working with us to bring this crossing back and I will be asking Council on Monday night to endorse us proceeding with the installation.
"The crossing will be reviewed after six months by the RMS and if it has proved to be as safe as we hope it will be, then we will be able to keep it there permanently.
"I am excited that we are so close to achieving the outcome we have worked so hard behind the scenes to achieve - the rainbow crossing returned as a permanent pride artwork in Sydney."
The Lord Mayor said the new crossing would include a trial to prioritise pedestrian movements ahead of vehicular movements and the work would include a local street upgrade to improve amenity and safety for pedestrians.
"Not only will this crossing be a colourful celebration of our LGBTQI community but it will also be a trial of new sensors to give pedestrians as much crossing time as possible."
Rainbow crossings were first installed in West Hollywood in 2012 to promote Gay Pride Month and became a permanent installation to celebrate the City's LGBTQI community and to promote the area as a leading tourist destination. There have been multiple rainbow crossings across Los Angeles as well as San Francisco, Adelaide, Tel Aviv and London.
Residents and businesses in the area will be consulted about the proposal in August before a report is prepared for the Local Pedestrian, Cycling and Traffic Calming Committee's September meeting. Construction on the crossing will start in October and is expected to take three months.
Sydney's first rainbow crossing appeared between Taylor Square and Whitlam Square in February 2013. It was removed by the former NSW Roads Minister less than two months later on 10 April, despite an independent safety audit which found that no accidents or injuries were caused by the rainbow crossing and a change.org petition signed by over 16,000 people.
Its removal sparked the "DIY Rainbow" movement founded by Sydneysider James Brechney who was married on a Mardi Gras float earlier this year.
For media inquiries or images, contact Senior Media Advisor Roxanne Macara.
Phone 0438 554 640 or email rmacara@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, please contact Communications Manager Julia Lenton.
Phone 0410 748 039 or email jlenton@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
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