'It's Time To Become A 24 Hour City': Council Approves Plan To Save Sydney's Nightlife

The City of Sydney has confirmed its groundbreaking proposal to save Sydney's nightlife has been unanimously endorsed by Council.

Some of the recommendations put forwarded by the City included:

• A 24-hour trading across the entire city centre
• Shops, businesses and low-impact food and drink venues on major high streets to trade until 2am
• New late-night trading areas in some of the city’s fastest-growing neighbourhoods, such as Barangaroo and Green Square
• A new cultural precinct in an industrial part of Alexandria
• Venues holding live performances and creative events in late-night trading areas to trade for an extra hour

"It’s time for Sydney to become a 24 hour city and we’ve now given businesses the opportunity to open around the clock," Lord Mayor Clover Moore said in a statement on Monday night.

“I’m pleased that Council has unanimously backed this proposal to give retailers more flexibility, to give visitors more late night options and to enhance our reputation on the world stage.

Moore said that over 10,000 Sydneysiders expressed a desire for a "diverse and exciting" night -time economy and the new proposal ticks those boxes.

“What they don’t want is a city that is unsafe or that shuts down as soon as the sun goes down," Moore added.

“These changes will see 24 hour trading in our city centre and the creation of new late night zones with extended hours. 

“I’m very excited about the new, late night cultural precinct in an industrial part of Alexandria, walking distance from the Green Square Station and future Waterloo Metro.

“The City of Sydney is doing its part. I hope these changes encourage the NSW Government to reconsider the lockout laws and help Sydney regain its status as one of the world’s premier late night destinations.

“Importantly, businesses and venues will need to apply for additional trading hours through a development application process and they’ll be subject to trial periods, to ensure venues are managed well and the community are consulted each step of the way.”