The Groundbreaking Plan To Save Sydney's Nightlife Could Begin Next Month

A 24-hour city centre and more performance venues are just some of the proposals included in a groundbreaking new plan designed to boost Sydney's nightlife. 

Next Monday, the City of Sydney will put forward a proposal to Council that would be some of the biggest revamps to the city in a decade which, if approved, will allow businesses to apply for new trading hours immediately. 

The proposal includes:

• 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

“Our late-night trading development control plan is the result of an unprecedented call from the community for practical action to help boost Sydney’s nightlife and economy,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said. 

“Last year, we held our first review in over a decade of the planning controls that determine where and when night-time activity can take place in Sydney. More than 10,000 people told us they want Sydney to have a diverse and exciting night-time economy with events and activities for people of all ages and interests. What they don’t want is a city that is unsafe or that shuts down as soon as the sun goes down.

“The changes we proposed in response to this feedback strike a balance between supporting well-managed venues to continue to trade and thrive, and managing any impacts they may have on local neighbourhoods. They also respond to the very strong demand for a vibrant, late-night city, and set the foundations for Sydney to become one of the world’s best 24-hour cities."

If the changes are approved by council, they will take effect next month.