The NSW Government’s $14.65 million Open Streets 2025-28 Program is helping support councils to temporarily create places for people to enjoy free community events.
On 20 September, Canterbury-Bankstown Council staged the new Love Earlwood – Meet You at the Plateia Festival in a rich display of culture, cuisine and music.
From 11am-4pm, the free festival saw Clarke Street and Earlwood Avenue in the town centre transformed into a vibrant celebration of all things Mediterranean.
At a time when cost of living pressures are being felt across the state, councils across NSW are being supported to hold more free community events, with help from the NSW Government’s Open Streets program.
From Tweed Shire to Bega Valley Shire to out west in Broken Hill, 46 councils have secured funding under the renewed initiative.
Following a competitive grants process, Canterbury Bankstown Council received $350,000 in funding to deliver the festival over three years.
NSW Minister for Transport, John Graham, said it is exciting to support Earlwood’s newest festival.
“We’re thrilled to support Love Earlwood – Meet You at the Plateia Festival in Canterbury-Bankstown,” Graham said.
“Too often our main streets are something we drive through, rather than drive to. 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.
“The colour and diversity of these 240 events across NSW, celebrates the unique personality of each town or suburb. This is what our vibrancy agenda is all about, backing locals to create events and entertainment that works for their local community.”
For more information about the Open Streets Program, visit: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/openstreets
