The City of Sydney is proposing “special entertainment precincts” in existing late-night trading areas to make it easier for businesses to operate later.
The City of Sydney is proposing “special entertainment precincts” in existing late-night trading areas to make it easier for businesses to operate later.
By Megan Gorrey
March 18, 2025 — 10.49am
The City of Sydney is pushing ahead with plans to allow venues in inner-city areas to trade later under proposed changes aimed at boosting night-life and allaying residents’ concerns about noise.
Tasked with reviving Sydney’s struggling 24-hour economy, the council sought the public’s feedback on multiple changes to planning rules that manage sound at entertainment and live music venues.
It also released a proposal to create “special entertainment precincts” in some existing late-night trading areas to make it easier for businesses to operate later without a development application.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the council received more than 450 submissions, 70 per cent of which were positive, on the proposed changes, which councillors debated at a meeting on Monday night.
“It’s fantastic to have community endorsement both for special entertainment precincts, which will make it easier and more cost-effective for venues to trade later, and our new plans to better balance the sound management needs of businesses and residents.”
Loading
Under the proposed changes, the council would designate existing late-night trading areas across much of the central business district as “special entertainment precincts”. This would unlock state government incentives, including making entertainment venues eligible for a two-hour extension on liquor trading on performance nights.
The changes would allow small bars, clubs, restaurants and retailers between Circular Quay and Central Station; and Sussex Street and Hyde Park, to stay open until 2am without any changes to their licence. Similar venues in areas such as Barangaroo and Broadway, with more residential development, could operate until 1am.
The varied rules, if approved, would also mean the vast majority of nightclubs, bars, restaurants, and shops in the city centre, along Oxford Street and in Kings Cross could apply to operate 24 hours.
Advertisement
Under the council’s proposed changes to the rules that govern entertainment noise, existing venues and residents would be protected by a council policy that would mandate acoustic testing and soundproofing in new residential developments or new and substantially changed venues.
Moore said the changes would make it cheaper and easier for owners to operate late-night venues, and provide more options for revellers.
“By not simply designating one or two streets but entire precincts we have already proven 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,” Moore said.
The proposals were tweaked in response to feedback, including removing a residential section of Crown Street from the late-night trading precinct. The plans will be refined before going back on exhibition.
Committee for Sydney head of corporate affairs and culture policy Matt Levinson said many people were drawn to homes and jobs in the inner-city due to the culture and energy of the night-life.
“What we’ve seen so far of this proposal promises to expand the options for places to go out, whether it’s in the city centre or closer to home, and that can only be a good thing for Sydney.”
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Megan Gorrey is the Sydney editor at The Sydney Morning Herald, covering urban affairs.Connect via Twitter or email.
Loading
Discover more from World Byte News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
