Public Notice: Official City Updates and Health Advisories for March 20

Public Health Alert: Measles Outbreak Monitoring

NSW Health has issued an urgent public health advisory following a rise in locally acquired measles cases across the Sydney metropolitan area. As of Friday, 20 March 2026, there have been 33 confirmed cases since the beginning of the year. Health officials are particularly concerned about community transmission in Western and Northern Sydney after three new cases were identified on Thursday.

Residents are advised to monitor for symptoms, which include fever, sore eyes, a runny nose, and a cough, typically followed by a red, blotchy rash. If symptoms develop, individuals should call their GP ahead of time to avoid exposing others in waiting rooms. NSW Health also reminds residents that free Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccines have been expanded to those spending significant time outdoors in high-risk areas during the current humid autumn period.

Special Event Traffic: Sydney Olympic Park

To facilitate the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Grand Final between Japan and Australia, significant road closures and transport diversions will be in effect at Sydney Olympic Park on Friday, 20 March. The following changes are active:

• Road Closures: Dawn Fraser Avenue and Park Street will be closed to all traffic from 1:00 AM Friday until early Sunday morning.
• Bus Diversions: Routes 525 and 526 will be diverted via Edwin Flack Avenue and Australia Avenue. School routes 665s, 760s, and 761s will also experience diversions during morning and afternoon peaks.
• Event Transport: Ticketholders are encouraged to use public transport, as all pre-booked parking at the precinct is currently sold out. Express trains will run frequently between Central and Olympic Park stations throughout the evening.

Infrastructure and Community Coordination

The newly established Great Western Highway Community Coordination Taskforce will hold its inaugural meeting this Friday, 20 March 2026. This multi-agency group is addressing the prolonged closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass due to ongoing geotechnical instability and structure movement. While the highway remains closed, the taskforce will coordinate support for affected small businesses and freight operators. Commuters are reminded to utilize the Bells Line of Road as the primary detour route.

Council Maintenance and Public Consultations

The City of Sydney continues its routine Friday park maintenance schedule across both the northern and southern service areas. Residents may notice council crews performing horticultural and turf maintenance at major green spaces including Hyde Park and several neighbourhood reserves in Glebe and Ultimo. Additionally, the public is invited to provide feedback on the proposed classification of three lots of land as 'Operational Land' and the naming of the new Daranggara Park in Camperdown. Submissions remain open through the official council consultation portal.