Events associated with World Youth Day will be held in Sydney from Tuesday 15 July to Sunday 20 July 2008.

The Roads and Traffic Authority has advised that the event will entail road closures similar to APEC and the Olympics combined and that, unlike the Olympics, most of the activities associated with it will take place in or near the CBD.

Special event clearways and road closures to deal with the large number of visitors and the security arrangements will start on Friday 11 July 2008 in College Street and will become progressively more extensive each day until the Final Mass with His Holiness the Pope on Sunday, 20 July 2008.

To reduce congestion in the CBD during this period, agencies are encouraged to allow staff to take leave, provided that essential services are maintained. Agencies should also consider implementing flexible work arrangements, including allowing an additional flex day to be taken in that period, provided the hours are accrued, or extending the settlement period.

Significant road closures will include:

• Hickson Road closed from Saturday 12 July.
• George Street closed from 10am until midnight from Tuesday 15 to Friday 18 July to facilitate the walking route.
• Macquarie, College and other streets around Cook and Phillip Park closed from 8pm Monday 14 July.
• Alison Road Randwick closed from midnight, Thursday 17 July extending to all roads around Randwick Racecourse by 8pm Friday 18 July.
• Anzac Pde and Cleveland St closed from 2am Saturday 19 July.
• Harbour Bridge and approaches closed from 2am to 5pm Saturday 19 July.

For full details of traffic arrangements and updates, go to http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/newsevents/2008_03_wyd.html.

Robyn Kruk
Director General

Issued : Workforce Policy and Advice (Public Sector Workforce Office)
Contact: Justin Davis, Senior Employment Relations Adviser
EMail: [email protected]
Telephone no: 9228 3488 Facsimile: 9228 4056
File no: PSM/09828