Special Entertainment Precinct
The Newtown Enmore Business Community (NEBC) is actively working to ensure local policies foster the vibrant, 24-hour economy this precinct deserves. Following a crucial meeting with Enmore Road business owners, Inner West Council, including Mayor Darcy Byrne and Councillor Chloe Smith, provided essential clarity on the Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) rules.
The main takeaway is a win for the street: Enmore Road businesses can now trade until midnight outdoors and 2 am indoors, seven days a week, without needing to apply for a Development Application (DA). These extended hours automatically override existing DA consents, instantly adding vital operating time for everyone from small bars to venues like The Warren View Hotel and Young Henry’s who were previously excluded from the SEP, now included and allowed to trade to midnight without a DA consent.
Crucially, Council confirmed that licensees do not need to offer live music to access these general extended trading hours.
However, the meeting highlighted a significant communication gap and administrative complexity, particularly around the L&GNSW live music incentives (fee discounts). We are currently lobbying to create a more straightforward process for small bars to extend hours without having to navigate the complex delivery and mandatory reporting required for the live music incentives.
The discussion, catalysed by the efforts of local small bar owner Dylan Howarth (Fortunate Son and Palomino Lounge), also sparked a productive conversation about the need to rebuild daytime trade. Many licensed venue owners expressed the concern of rising rents, and an ongoing stream of more bars opening, undermines the diversity that was a drawcard for many in the precinct. The sentiment in the room remains focused on a diverse, resilient economy that supports businesses operating before 5 pm, ensuring the precinct is truly alive around the clock.
The NEBC is committed to being an essential conduit between people on the ground and local government. Council acknowledged the existing gap in information dissemination, leading Councillor Chloe Smith to successfully propose a Notice of Motion that formally positions the NEBC as a valuable partner in economic strategy. We encourage all eligible businesses to take advantage of the new 2 am trading hours and, of course, keep us posted on your experiences!