City of Sydney appeals for feedback on night-time plans

The Australian city of Sydney has appealed for feedback over proposed changes to planning rules, and the introduction of special entertainment precincts to boost the night-time economy. 

The draft Entertainment Sound Management Development Control Plan and special entertainment precincts discussion paper will be open for public feedback for the next six weeks.

Proposed changes would help to better protect existing venues by insisting developers carry out acoustic testing and sound proofing measures, where required, in new residential developments nearby. Changes would also better protect residents by mandating acoustic testing and sound mitigation measures where required, and make it easier for eligible entertainment venues to trade later with longer trials of extended opening hours.

“We all want a nightlife we can be proud of and that our global city deserves,” said the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore.

“On the back of lockouts and lockdowns and amidst increasing cost of living pressures, we need to ensure we are doing all we can to support this integral part of Sydney’s economic, social and cultural fabric.

“In response to the challenging hospitality environment and the NSW Government’s vibrancy reforms, we have proposed important changes to the way we manage entertainment sound. We’ve also designated new special entertainment precincts that will help restore our thriving nightlife.

“We need to ensure we’re getting this right, so we will be holding community and stakeholder forums and extending the exhibition period to ensure everyone has a chance to have their say.”

The City of Sydney also hopes to recognise existing, well-established and well-understood late night trading areas with special entertainment precinct status.

This status would unlock incentives from the New South Wales Government for liquor licence fee discounts and additional licensing hours; allow the City of Sydney to put in place bespoke sound criteria to encourage live music and entertainment; and make it easier for licensed and unlicensed businesses to trade later.

Moore added: “This will build on the extended hours and incentives in our current late night trading areas by providing sound management certainty, extended trading for live music and performance, and an 80% discount on liquor licence fees.

“By designating existing late night trading areas instead of one or two streets, we have already proven these precincts can support this kind of activity. We’re hoping to apply the benefits to as many areas and businesses as possible while avoiding the safety and economic impacts of saturation.”