Newtown and Enmore to be added to Special Entertainment Precincts - CITY OF SYDNEY
What is a special entertainment precinct?
As part of the Vibrancy Reforms, the NSW Government announced a new framework for special entertainment precincts. These precincts support live entertainment through extended trading hours and sound controls that provide operational certainty for venues, neighbouring residents and businesses. Councils can establish special entertainment precincts in their local areas. Special entertainment precincts: – are mapped by the council in the local environmental plan, they can be for an area, a street or a single venue – have sound levels and trading hours set by council in a precinct management plan and override those on a development consent – have noise complaints continue to be managed by Liquor & Gaming NSW but regarding the council’s precinct management plan – ensure residents and people moving into the area are notified by council about the precinct designation, for example on planning certificates or on its website
Benefits and incentives available for businesses
The NSW Government offer the following benefits and incentives for businesses within a special entertainment precinct:
all venues are eligible for a one-hour extension on liquor trading every night of the week, when at least 2 live performances have occurred in that weeksimplified process to become a dedicated live music or performance venue – dedicated live music and performance venues are eligible for a 2-hour extension on liquor trading on the night of a performanceall venues are eligible for an 80% discount on liquor licence fees.
Proposed special entertainment precincts
The approach is to upgrade our existing late-night trading areas to special entertainment precincts (see map for Newtown Enmore Erskineville). Designating these areas as special entertainment precincts would: – make it easier for licensed and unlicensed businesses to trade later without a development application – give businesses in the precincts access to NSW Government liquor licence fee discounts and extended licensing hours for live music – allow us to put in place bespoke sound criteria that suit the context of the area and encourage live music and entertainment.
Figure 2. Proposed special entertainment precinct trading hours
Excerpt from the Discussion Paper - download link here.
Excerpt from the Discussion Paper - download link here.
Base hours: In a special entertainment precinct, base hours would become ‘as of right’ with no need for a development application.
Program incentive hours: Would be ‘as of right’ with no need for a development application (DA). Only available where the venue has a program of live music performance or other arts and cultural event of at least 45 minutes after 8pm on at least 2 nights in any 7-day period.
Dedicated venue hours: Would be ‘as of right’ with no need for a development application. Only available on the night of a live performance that is at least 45 minutes long, after 8pm, and the venue is a dedicated live performance venue published on the Liquor & Gaming website. Extended hours:
Extended hours are approved by DA on a trial basis alongside a plan of management.
Your input is important. When businesses actively participate in local issues, it helps shape policies and ensures that the needs of the local economy are considered. We encourage you, as a local business, to have your say.
FOR MORE INFORMATION - Visit City of Sydney website.
A REEL FROM COUNCILLOR JESS MILLER - Explaining the proposal and shareable on IG
