A concept image of what the western side of the Harbour Bridge would look like lit up (from the perspective of Luna Park). Image: Destination NSW Source: Supplied
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A GOLDEN opportunity to put North Sydney on the map by extending Sydney's Vivid Light Festival north of the Harbour Bridge has been snuffed out.
In an extraordinary council meeting on Monday night, in which "petty politics" trumped logical debate, councillors rescinded a motion to contribute $100,000 to Vivid this year, claiming they had been kept in the dark about key details.
The project, which has been on the boil for five months, promised to light up the western side of the bridge from an interactive touch pad located near Luna Park.
A free ferry carting passengers across the harbour would help bring Destination NSW's predicted 350,000 visitors into North Sydney.
Luna Park General Manager Peter Hearne had arranged to open the park on additional weeknights and provide security, food and beverages throughout Vivid.
He implored the council not to pan the festival as it would raise the business and cultural profile of North Sydney, filling empty hotel beds and boosting restaurant patronage.
"Why should residents of North Sydney have to travel over the bridge to experience Vivid when they could have it in their back yard," Mr Hearne said.
But Cr Stephen Barbour argued there was no guarantee spending $100,000 would bring people across the bridge.
Cr Zoe Baker said the council had not followed "due process" but instead committed a large sum of money without knowing its impact on the budget nor terms of any agreement with Destination NSW.
"This...flies in the face of our obligation to ratepayers and residents for careful and informed decision-making," Cr Baker said.
She added there was a backlog of unfunded infrastructure projects, including the $160,000 upgrade of Waverton Park sportsground, where the money might be better spent.
But Cr Danielle Butcher said Vivid would fulfil councillors' election promise to revitalise North Sydney.
"Lots of lights equals lots of people - $100,000 for an event with the size and gravitas of Vivid is a modest starting point," she said.
Mayor Jilly Gibson was angered at suggestions the council had not completed checks and balances.
"This is the fourth time to discuss it on the floor of council - hardly uninformed decision-making," Cr Gibson said.
"No vivid, how sad - this is local government at its worst, playing petty politics instead of working with vision," Cr Gibson said.
The council will write to Premier Andrew Stoner and Destination NSW seeking an extension of time and assurances that the offer to participate in Vivid will remain open next year.
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