Qtopia Sydney has unveiled plans that would see Taylor Square, Oxford Street and its surrounding precinct enlivened, illuminated and activated once again.
Hot on the heels of the exhibitions and performances in The Substation and The Toilet Block, and the additional people the venues have attracted, Qtopia Sydney has shared plans to erect an information sign, sympathetically aligned with the historical context of the former water tank that sat above The Substation.
Taylor Square, once a vibrant gathering place for the Gadigal People, holds immense significance. Reclaiming its historical role as a cultural hub for the community, by restoring it to its original purpose, would honour and celebrate its Indigenous heritage, fostering a sense of belonging and pride amongst all who visit.
Emphasising that this would never be an advertising billboard, Qtopia Sydney’s Information Board will be activated to interpret the exhibitions inside the main building, bringing them out to the public and aligning them with the activities along the “strip”, or those undertaken by community service organisations.
Launched in March 2024, The Substation has been transformed into a multi-use community space in which Qtopia Sydney has created a large-scale video exhibit, stadium seating, staging and lighting for performances, as well as a unique adaptive space for delivery of corporate and school programs.
Activating The Toilet Block as a permanent exhibition after three decades of dormancy, the space has proven popular and has been nominated for a Time Out Arts and Cultural Award for Best Museum Exhibition.
“We explored other locations both within Australia and internationally, which demonstrated how the installation of signs to a Square created a purpose for gathering,” said CEO Greg Fisher.
“In addition, there are considerable flow-on benefits to the local day and night-time economy, as well as improved safety and utilisation of the area. We envision Oxford Street becoming a vibrant hub for the community, with Taylor Square serving as a beacon for gatherings all-year-round.”
Known for its transformative initiatives, Qtopia Sydney shared the proposal with the community last week, further reinforcing the importance of close collaboration with community partners.
“We are dedicated to driving innovative projects that foster mutual support and empower community-led efforts – in this case a much-needed recovery of the Oxford Street “strip” and surrounding areas,” said Mr Fisher. “Overwhelming support has been received from nearly every major Queer organisation and local business, who have strongly endorsed this initiative by signing letters of support.”
The revitalisation plan includes initiatives to highlight the essential contributions of numerous key organisations beyond the festive season of Mardi Gras.
“Our goal is to have this transformation ready by Mardi Gras 2025, bringing life back to the area and supporting both daytime and night time economies,” said Mr Fisher. Taylor Square will not only host special events, but will also promote activities across the entire strip. Building a vibrant future requires collaboration and decisive action.”
“We believe we are well placed to deliver this initiative with the community – already working with the Darlinghurst Business Partnership, the Rainbow Precinct, the major entertainment and business groups, community organisations and importantly with the City of Sydney – who have been supporters and partners of Qtopia Sydney from the start.”
“Recognising that businesses along the ‘strip’ are doing it tough, the time for waiting for future initiatives has passed. With hard work and good will from all stakeholders, there is no reason why this couldn’t happen in time for Mardi Gras 2025 – transforming The Substation and Taylor Square to once again illuminate the Darlinghurst area for a modern purpose,” said Mr Fisher.
For more information about Qtopia Sydney, visit: www.qtopiasydney.com.au for details.
Image: A perspective of The Substation Information Board (supplied)