City Of Sydney Envision Thriving Sydney Nightlife Under New Sound Management Proposals

In an effort to boost and recharge Sydney’s once-bustling nightlife and entertainment sectors, local community members are backing the City of Sydney’s new plans that would allow venues to open later while also balancing the noise concerns of residents.

In a large-scale community consultation, the City of Sydney received over 60 submissions for the draft Entertainment Sound Management Development Control Plan which establishes sound management requirements for new residential developments that may be affected by entertainment sound, sound management requirements for new and altered entertainment venues and assistance to help businesses trade later with changes to trial periods. Another 365 responses were submitted to the Special Entertainment Precincts Discussion Paper. Under these proposals, residents can expect protection by the implementation of acoustic testing and soundproofing where required. 

Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore AO embraced the feedback and support of these plans from local communities, emphasising the plans’ potential to boost Sydney’s nightlife while also addressing residential sound management issues.

“We all want a nightlife we can be proud of and that our global city deserves,” he said.

“In response to the challenging hospitality environment and NSW Government’s vibrancy reforms, we proposed important changes to the way we manage entertainment sound and new special entertainment precinct designations that will continue us on the path to restoring our thriving nightlife,”

“We have worked hard to create the environment where our nightlife can thrive, and the city remains a great place to live. 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,”

“Over 70% of submissions supported the plans, with nightlife growth and diversity, as well as more flexibility for venues, key among reasons given in favour of the plans,”

“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,”

“By making it cheaper and easier to operate a venue, we’ll create new, fun and affordable options for people going out at night.”

Some submissions suggested the removal of certain residential areas such as Crown Street and Surry Hills from the late-night trading area proposal, while two Walsh Bay wharves, the National Arts School and Qtopia Sydney should be added to the proposal to allow for easier access to extended hours. The City is also in the process of investigating pending upgrades to late-night trading areas of Oxford Street, William Street, Regent Street and Botany Road, as well as a section of Newtown’s King Street. These suggestions will go back on public exhibition as the next steps toward proposal implementation.

Incentives from the NSW Government will be offered to late-night trading areas with special entertainment precinct status, offering up liquor license fee discounts and additional licensing hours. Both licensed and unlicensed venues with this status will have the option to trade to base hours without needing to submit a development application.

“We know a big part of the reason people want to live in the city, and work and spend time there is thanks to the culture and energy of the nightlife,” said Head of Corporate Affairs and Culture Policy for the Committee for Sydney Matt Levinson.

“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.”

Matt Gerber of the Oxford Art Factory agreed, stating: “These proposals are vital for Sydney. Venues like the Oxford Art Factory aren’t just venues for live music but they’re breeding grounds for creativity and art. These changes mean venues like mine can operate securely in the knowledge we won’t be subject to a changing regulatory environment and can invest in better infrastructure, better building and help preserve our creative identity.”

The next steps for the City of Sydney is to carry out research and design a sound plan for the precincts and outline management standards and planning proposals which will then be re-exhibited for public input. The City also aims to draft an evaluation plan for the precincts and carry it out 12 to 18 months after they come into effect.