The Kings Cross Hotel had hung its very prominent ‘Keep Sydney Open’ banner in support of the local community, but that support could have cost it $6,000 had it not complied with an order to remove the sign from its balcony.
As the Sydney Morning Herald reports, having raised the banner to coincide with last weekend’s Keep Sydney Open festival, the venue got in strife with a local residents group, the 2011 Residents Association, who described it as “free advertising”.
The large banner had been hung without approval from the council, and has been taken down immediately to avoid the fine, with an “unreserved apology” from venue owners.
“We had good intentions in putting the banner up,” owner Dan Lacaze said. “It was about supporting a community initiative and local businesses in the area.”
Meanwhile, Peter Young of the 2011 Residents Association claims that seven locals complained about the banner.
“They said: ‘How dare they come in and make Kings Cross a political situation?'” he told the SMH. “If we get vilified for being sticks in the mud or dobbers, so be it. We are there to represent the residents.”
A spokesman for the City of Sydney told that the council had received two complaints about the banner and, as it had been placed there without approval, it would need to be removed.
“The banner is being removed voluntarily and City staff will work with the hotel to ensure any future signage is submitted through the formal approval process,” the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, Tyson Koh of Keep Sydney Open described the banner as “a metaphor” for a larger concern.
“There’s a residents’ committee that’s opposed to us,” he said. “It shows the factors at play when it comes to gentrification and entertainment precincts in the inner city.”
