Data

General Issues
Arts, Culture, & Recreation
Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice & Corrections
Specific Topics
Public Safety
Community & Police Relations
Location
100 Murray StreetPyrmont
Pyrmont
Sydney
New South Wales
2009
Australia
Scope of Influence
City/Town
Files
Vibrant and Safe Sydney Nightlife Jury Report
Links
Summary by newDemocracy
Videos
MP support for Sydney's nightlife jury
Start Date
End Date
Ongoing
No
Time Limited or Repeated?
A single, defined period of time
Purpose/Goal
Make, influence, or challenge decisions of government and public bodies
Make, influence, or challenge decisions of private organizations
Approach
Consultation
Spectrum of Public Participation
Consult
Total Number of Participants
43
Open to All or Limited to Some?
Limited to Only Some Groups or Individuals
Recruitment Method for Limited Subset of Population
Random Sample
Targeted Demographics
Youth
Students
General Types of Methods
Deliberative and dialogic process
General Types of Tools/Techniques
Facilitate dialogue, discussion, and/or deliberation
Facilitate decision-making
Recruit or select participants
Specific Methods, Tools & Techniques
Sortition
Q&A Session
Legality
Yes
Facilitators
Yes
Face-to-Face, Online, or Both
Face-to-Face
Types of Interaction Among Participants
Discussion, Dialogue, or Deliberation
Ask & Answer Questions
Information & Learning Resources
Expert Presentations
Written Briefing Materials
Site Visits
Decision Methods
Voting
If Voting
Super-Majoritarian
Communication of Insights & Outcomes
Public Report
Type of Organizer/Manager
Local Government
Non-Governmental Organization
Funder
City of Sydney
Type of Funder
Local Government
Staff
No
Volunteers
No
Evidence of Impact
No

CASE

Citizens Jury on Creating a Safe and Vibrant Nightlife in Sydney, Australia

General Issues
Arts, Culture, & Recreation
Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice & Corrections
Specific Topics
Public Safety
Community & Police Relations
Location
100 Murray StreetPyrmont
Pyrmont
Sydney
New South Wales
2009
Australia
Scope of Influence
City/Town
Files
Vibrant and Safe Sydney Nightlife Jury Report
Links
Summary by newDemocracy
Videos
MP support for Sydney's nightlife jury
Start Date
End Date
Ongoing
No
Time Limited or Repeated?
A single, defined period of time
Purpose/Goal
Make, influence, or challenge decisions of government and public bodies
Make, influence, or challenge decisions of private organizations
Approach
Consultation
Spectrum of Public Participation
Consult
Total Number of Participants
43
Open to All or Limited to Some?
Limited to Only Some Groups or Individuals
Recruitment Method for Limited Subset of Population
Random Sample
Targeted Demographics
Youth
Students
General Types of Methods
Deliberative and dialogic process
General Types of Tools/Techniques
Facilitate dialogue, discussion, and/or deliberation
Facilitate decision-making
Recruit or select participants
Specific Methods, Tools & Techniques
Sortition
Q&A Session
Legality
Yes
Facilitators
Yes
Face-to-Face, Online, or Both
Face-to-Face
Types of Interaction Among Participants
Discussion, Dialogue, or Deliberation
Ask & Answer Questions
Information & Learning Resources
Expert Presentations
Written Briefing Materials
Site Visits
Decision Methods
Voting
If Voting
Super-Majoritarian
Communication of Insights & Outcomes
Public Report
Type of Organizer/Manager
Local Government
Non-Governmental Organization
Funder
City of Sydney
Type of Funder
Local Government
Staff
No
Volunteers
No
Evidence of Impact
No

In 2014 the city of Sydney Council convened a Citizens' Jury of 43 Sydneysiders to deliberate on how to create a safe and vibrant nightlife in Sydney.

Problems and Purpose

The jury were asked by the City of Sydney council to deliberate on the following question and provide five recommendations [1]:

How can we ensure we have a vibrant and safe Sydney nightlife?

The jury were given their remit by the City of Sydney and supported by the New South Wales government, who committed to presenting the jury's recommendations verbatim to parliament [2]. This commitment is in line with the South Australian government who convened a similar CJ on Adelaide nightlife. 

Background History and Context

The jury was inspired by a similar citizens' jury that took place in Adelaide in 2013 that considered the same issue. Achieving a balance between ensuring safety, tackling alcohol-related crime and retaining a vibrant night-time economy is an issue that falls across different policy areas and affects many people. 

Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities 

The process was commissioned by the City of Sydney and supported by the New South Wales government and Premier. 

It was organised and facilitated by the New Democracy Foundation, an independent research organisation. The Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation also played a substantial role in the process. The foundation campaigns for measures to change youth and alcohol culture. Thomas Kelly was 18 years when he was killed in an unprovoked attack in Sydney in July 2012 and the Foundation was set up in his honour to campaign for better protection against alcohol-related violence. 

Participant Recruitment and Selection

New Democracy Foundation organised the recruitment of participants. In addition to a random selection from a sample of 20,000 citizens across metropolitan Sydney, there was also a random draw from university students to increase the response rate from the 18-24 age group [1]. 

To further ensure fairness, the final 43 jurors did not belong to any political parties or interest groups [1]. 

Methods and Tools Used

This case used a citizens' jury, broadly defined as a small group of randomly-selected individuals who come together to deliberate on an issue after hearing from experts in order to provide recommendations on future action for decision-makers [3]. The deliberative democratic process is intended to result in consensus.  

What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation

The research and evaluation process undertaken by the Jury included presentations and submissions from the public, professionals from various fields of expertise. Decisions were made supermajoritarian voting (80% +1).

The remit for the jury was deliberately open, to allow the jurors to consider the issue as broadly as possible and encourage innovative ideas. 

In addition to hearing experts and receiving submissions as part of the deliberative process, the jury also took a tour of night-time Sydney and visited a busy emergency department to experience the issue of night-time violence first-hand [1]. 

The public were also invited to observe the jury in action during the information and learning phases. 

Influence, Outcomes, and Effects

The jury produced a final report of 25 recommendations in total, under the following five themes:

  1. Diversity
  2. Transport
  3. Policing and safety
  4. Education and media
  5. Lockouts and licensing

The government response is summarised as follows:

  • Supported: 6 recommendations
  • Supported in principle: 9 recommendations
  • Supported in part: 1 recommendation
  • Noted: 5 recommendations
  • Not supported: 4 recommendations

In her response to the jury's recommendations, the Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore also mentioned that several recommendations were in line with existing plans by the council. OPEN Sydney is the City of Sydney's strategic action plan to develop Sydney at night and embodies a number of the recommendations, although these were already in development and are not a direct result of the jury.

Analysis and Lessons Learned 

Want to contribute an analysis of this initiative? Help us complete this section!

See Also

Citizens' Jury 

Citizens' Jury on Dog and Cat Management in South Australia 

Citizens Jury on Creating a Safe and Vibrant Adelaide Nightlife 

South Australian Citizens' Jury on Sharing the Roads Safely 

References

[1] Citizen's Policy Jury on a Vibrant and Safe Sydney Nightlife. (April 2013). Retrieved from https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/la/papers/DBAssets/tabledpaper/webAttachments/22786/Vibrant%20and%20Safe%20Sydney%20Nightlife.pdf

[2] New Democracy. (2013). City of Sydney - Safe & Vibrant Nightlife. Retrieved from https://www.newdemocracy.com.au/2013/09/17/city-of-sydney-safe-vibrant-nightlife/

External Links

OPEN Sydney:

http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/vision/towards-2030/business-and-econ...

Submissions and presentations made to the jury:

http://sydneyyoursay.com.au/citizens-jury

Thomas Kelly Foundation:

http://thomaskellyyouthfoundation.org.au/thomas-kelly-story

Opinion piece by newDemocracy founder: Sydney lockout: A groundswell of opinion isn't the considered view of the silent majority 

Notes