Leichhardt’s cultural identity is in flux, raising questions about the future of Sydney’s traditional Italian enclave. On a rainy Saturday in October, thousands of Sydneysiders defied the weather to attend the 39th Norton Street Italian Festa, a testament to the enduring appeal of this annual celebration of Italian heritage. The event, one of Australia’s largest and longest-running street festivals, featured live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, and a plethora of local food offerings.
Ilario Ventolini, president of Viva Leichhardt, reported to realcommercial.com.au that this year’s festival saw its largest crowd in a decade, with an estimated attendance of around 200,000.
“The police said there was around 180,000, but their guess is always a little more conservative. I can tell you that at 9:30 in the morning there were already 40,000 people on the street and we hadn’t even opened yet. It was unbelievable,”
Ventolini remarked.
Like many high streets in Sydney and across Australia, Norton Street has experienced its share of ups and downs. From its bustling mid-century heyday as the heart of Sydney’s Italian community to a present shaped by gentrification and shifting demographics, the street’s identity has evolved significantly. Officially designated as ‘Little Italy’ by the Inner West Council in 2001, Norton Street has since faced an identity crisis.
The Changing Face of Little Italy
Despite the annual draw of the Norton Street Italian Festa, the demographic reality of the strip in 2025 tells a different story. Ventolini, a long-time local and owner of Moretti Ristorante since 1997, acknowledges the changes.
“It’s an important tradition celebrated since the Italians first migrated to the area,”
he says.
“And these days we’re not only celebrating the Italian heritage, but the vibrant, diverse and welcoming community we are today.”
The title Little Italy, although officially conferred in 2001, traces its roots back to the post-World War II era when Italian migrants settled in Leichhardt and surrounding suburbs. Norton Street became the cultural and commercial heart, bustling with Italian cafés, trattorias, delis, and social clubs.
In the 1970s, Ventolini recalls spending weekends on the strip with his family.
“I must’ve been three or four years old, holding my mother’s hand as we went from shop to shop. We’d shop for mortadella, salami and Italian produce, then stop for a coffee or gelato afterwards,”
he reminisces.
Charlie Pignataro of Il Cugino Pizzeria shares similar memories from the 1980s.
“If you were Italian, or simply wanted good Italian food, this was the place to be,”
he says. However, today, only a handful of Italian restaurants remain, reflecting broader demographic shifts.
Demographic Shifts and Economic Challenges
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the number of Italian-born residents in Leichhardt has steadily declined, from 493 in 2016 to 371 in 2021, representing just 2.4% of the suburb’s population. Those identifying as having Italian ancestry also dropped from 4,584 to 3,883 during the same period.
Pignataro acknowledges the change.
“I’m sure Leichhardt is losing its Italian identity, but if you’re a local, it’s probably for the best,”
he admits. The area now boasts a diverse array of cuisines, reflecting broader multicultural trends.
Conversely, the proportion of residents with Italian ancestry rose from 4.7% to 6.9% between 2011 and 2021, suggesting a return of some Italian Australians to their familial roots. Local buyer’s agent Nick Viner notes other demographic shifts, with more downsizers and slightly older newcomers moving into the area.
Challenges and Opportunities for Renewal
Perhaps the most visible change on Norton Street is the decline of the Italian Forum, once a lively hub of cafés, restaurants, and community life. Initially marketed in 1989 as a cultural and economic revitalization project, the Forum’s vibrancy has waned over the years.
In 2023, major portions of the site were sold to property developer Bob Patterson, yet locals report little progress in revitalizing the complex. Property values have mirrored this downturn, with the site of La Giara Italian selling for less in 2024 than it did in 1999.
However, there are signs of hope. The arrival of Teatro, a new 300-seat indoor theatre, has sparked renewed interest. Its first production, a sold-out run of The Addams Family, has drawn hundreds back to the precinct.
Ventolini is optimistic about the theatre’s impact.
“They’re bringing some life back into the Forum, which is fantastic,”
he says.
“It’s exactly the kind of thing that could encourage restaurants to reopen in the piazza.”
Looking Ahead: Revitalization Efforts
In 2024, Leichhardt was one of 32 districts to receive funding under the NSW Government’s Uptown District Acceleration Program, aimed at revitalizing high streets and community hubs.
For Ventolini, the annual Norton Street Italian Festa remains central to these efforts.
“Next year is the 40th anniversary and we are looking to expand into the nighttime,”
he says.
“When tens of thousands of people come to Norton Street who haven’t been here in years, it rekindles memories and hopefully they keep coming back to support local businesses.”
Pignataro believes everyday changes could also make a significant difference.
“Cheaper rents and more parking would be great,”
he suggests, noting that logistical improvements could enhance the area’s appeal.
As Norton Street navigates its identity shift, the community remains hopeful that a blend of tradition and modernity will ensure Little Italy’s enduring charm.
