New Years Eve arrangements for Balmain peninsula

Traffic arrangements for the Balmain Peninsula for New Years Eve 2023 can be found below.

Public transport

The best way to access the Balmain peninsula on New Years Eve is by public transport.

Extra public transport will operate to get you to the Balmain Peninsula and home again. To plan your trip visit the Transport for NSW website or call 131 500.

Road closures

Council is planning to implement the following traffic arrangements to cater for New Years Eve 2023 celebrations.

The following roads will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 3:00pm on Sunday, 31 December 2023 until 1:00am on Monday, 1 January 2024 to cater for the New Year’s Eve celebrations:

• Brent Street at Evans Street intersection, Rozelle (both directions)
• Mansfield Street at Evans Street intersection, Rozelle (both directions)
• Hanover Street at Evans Street intersection, Rozelle (both directions)
• Mackenzie Street at Victoria Road intersection, Rozelle (both directions)
• Hartley Street at Victoria Road intersection, Rozelle (both directions)
• Joseph Street at Victoria Road intersection, Rozelle (both directions)
• Loughlin Street at Victoria Road intersection, Rozelle (both directions)
• Crescent Street at Robert Street intersection, Rozelle (both directions)
• Buchanan Street at Robert Street intersection, Balmain (both directions)
• Waragal Avenue at Terry Street intersection, Rozelle (both directions)
• McKell Street at Yeend Street intersection, Birchgrove (both directions)

 In addition, the following roads will be closed to all vehicular traffic entering the Balmain peninsula except Transport for NSW (TfNSW), Buses, Taxis, Hire Cars and Balmain Access Permit holders and will be manned by NSW Police officers between 3:00pm on Sunday, 31 December 2023 and 1:00am on Monday, 1 January 2024:

• Terry Street at Wellington Street intersection, Rozelle (northbound direction)
• Darling Street at Nelson Street intersection, Rozelle (northbound direction)
• Darling Street at Ewenton Street intersection, Balmain (eastbound direction) 
• Evans Street at Merton Street intersection, Rozelle (northbound direction)
• Evans Street at Nelson Street, Rozelle (both directions)
• Mullens Street at Robert Street intersection, Rozelle (both directions)
• Ballast Point Road at Lemm Street-Yeend Street intersection, Birchgrove (south and eastbound directions)
• Wharf Road at Grove Street intersection, Birchgrove (eastbound direction)
• Grove Street at Rose Street (eastbound direction)

Council has liaised with the police to ensure that taxis will be allowed access to the peninsula on New Years Eve. However, taxi access after 7pm will require the passenger to have information verifying that they are a resident of the Balmain peninsula. The information could be a drivers licence, rates notice etc. Temporary taxi drop-off points would be provided for other taxis closer to the road closure points.

Refer to the following map for road closure locations. Road users are requested to avoid these locations at reopening time and where possible use alternative routes.

A Special Event Clearway will be in place on Victoria Rd, between The Crescent and Westbourne Street (Westbound) from Sunday 31 December 2023 to Monday 1 January 2024. For more details on road closures and clearways visit livetraffic.com

Road closures map

Refer to the following map for road closure locations. Road users are requested to avoid these locations at reopening time and where possible use alternative routes.

Temporary changes in parking restrictions

 To provide transportation for visitors to the area, Sydney Buses will be operating additional bus services to Darling Street. To manage these additional bus services, the following restrictions will be in place from 12:00 noon on 31 December 2023:

• Temporary ‘Bus Zones’ on both sides of Darling Street between Mort Street and Curtis Road (plan)
• Temporary ‘Bus Zone’ on the northern side of Darling Street between King Street and North Street (plan)
• Temporary ‘Bus Zone’ on the southern side of Grove Street between Wharf Road and Bay Street (plan)
• Temporary ‘No Stopping’ restriction on the eastern side of Montague Street between Darling Street and Beattie Street (plan)

Permits accepted

The following permits will be accepted for access to the Balmain/Rozelle peninsula:

• Inner West Council resident access permit (Balmain/Rozelle peninsula)
• Inner West Council current resident parking scheme permit for areas B1, B2, B3, B5, BE, BG, R1, R2, R3 and R4
• Australian mobility parking scheme permit.

Residents/business proprietors within the closed section of Balmain/Rozelle peninsula who need vehicle access to the peninsula during the road closure period and who have not been issued one of the above permits can apply for a resident access permit from Council's Customer Service Centre.

Resident and businesses will be eligible for two permits only. To apply for a resident access permit, applicants will need to submit the application and provide proof of residency/business operation with an address inside the restricted area. No permits will be issued for visitors.

Supporting documentation required

• Residential (You must provide BOTH documents)
  • Driver's licence
  • Registration papers showing address in the restricted area
• Business (Please provide one of the following documents)
  • You must provide a ABN certificate (displaying the address)
  • Front page of lease showing address within restricted area

Permit application

Online applications closed at midnight Friday 15 December 2023. You can still apply for a permit in person at one of our customer service centres until Friday 29 December 2023. Check the service centre opening hours here.