<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>City of Sydney Council is reconsidering rule changes that would </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-buskers-city-new-busking-rules-ula-music-tiktok-exclusive/051d7911-8bdc-48ca-9bcb-58506b036a31" rel="" target="_blank" title="limit buskers to performing in just six spots"><span>limit buskers to performing in just six spots</span></a><span> along George Street in the heart of the city.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Under the new rules, buskers would be restricted to new "special busking sites" on George Street, and performing hours would be slashed to 11am to 10pm, reduced from the previous 8am to 10pm hours.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Busking would no longer be permitted outside of those sites on George Street, or within five metres of intersections, pedestrian crossings, or light rail tracks anywhere in the city.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/ben-austin-young-cricketer-dies-after-training-accident-victoria/b55935be-0408-4938-a3e6-bb46b649c8b1" target="_blank"><strong><span>Teen cricketer dies after training tragedy</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>News of the overhaul was emailed to buskers on Monday, sparking shock and outrage.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Now Lord Mayor Clover Moore has responded to "clear up some of the misinterpretation" of the busking overhaul.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We have not 'banned busking,'" she said in a statement.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-busking-rule-changes-back-track/c70e1702-0cc3-4cf9-b2cf-6230d09cc636" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Moore said the changes were made with the safety of buskers and pedestrians in mind, especially now that the light rail operates along George Street.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The needs of local businesses were also taken into consideration.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We don't want situations that are unsafe, or where buskers are competing to be heard over each other or overly dominating spaces that need to be shared," Moore said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But limiting busking to just six sites along the street has proven very unpopular.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Now City of Sydney Council appears to be willing to walk some of the changes back.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Despite these new special busking areas being consulted on and agreed to unanimously by Council, we have heard this week that buskers want more of them," Moore said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"So I have asked the City's CEO to go back and review George Street again with a view to increase the number of busking opportunities along George Street."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/finance/commonwealth-bank-westpac-interest-rate-cut-forecasts-high-inflation/85ab1489-c06f-4e62-839e-c88ed18b34d4" target="_blank"><strong><span>Major banks drop grim new forecast for interest rates</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Lord Mayor apologised that the changes "came as a shock to some buskers", like Sydney busker turned social media star Ūla.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She told 9news.com.au the changes felt overly restrictive, especially when most buskers already do the right thing.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"No one is busking in the middle of the street, no one is busking in the light rail tracks," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Buskers want to be there, they want to make money, so they're going to be sensible about it."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She also feared the rule changes could have dire financial impacts on some artists who rely on busking to make a living.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Limiting George Street to just six sites limits the number of buskers who can perform each day, limiting the potential earnings of those who can't get a spot.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"When you do the math of how many buskers there are, it's just impossible," Ūla said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/sunscreen-scandal-australia-mum-claims-she-used-recalled-ultra-violette-lean-screen-for-two-years-before-skin-cancer-diagnosis/ed42b06f-2e1c-451f-9b7a-e90d27bd818e" target="_blank"><strong><span>Mum claims she used recalled sunscreen for two years before skin cancer</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She called on City of Sydney Council to reconsider the rule changes and work with buskers to find a better solution to any safety concerns.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It appears Council has heard her and other Sydney artists.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I want to let you know I've heard you, and I've directed our staff to see if we can find more safe spaces for you to perform," Moore said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We'll continue working with you to get this right."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>Have you got a story? Contact</span></strong></em><span> </span><strong><em><span>reporter Maddison Leach at</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="mailto:mleach@nine.com.au" target="_blank" title="mleach@nine.com.au"><strong><em><span>mleach@nine.com.au</span></em></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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