Overview

• The City of Sydney Council is reviewing plans for a two-week Fauna puppet performance at heritage-listed Paddington Reservoir Gardens scheduled for September 4–20
• Residents have lodged letters warning the four-metre inflatable puppet could bring disruptive noise, rowdy crowds, light overspill and risks to the site’s heritage character
• Arts Minister John Graham has defended the event by citing new statewide reforms that streamline noise complaints and limit neighbours’ power to block live performances
• A Sydney Morning Herald editorial criticised the objections as unreasonable and warned Paddington residents risk tarnishing the city’s cultural revival with NIMBY attitudes
• Erth Visual and Physical creative director Scott Wright says Fauna will serve as a youthful ambassador for trees, using puppetry to introduce children to climate change and conservation