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Your say on special entertainment precincts
We invite your feedback on our plans to enhance nightlife and encourage live music and performance.
Project Status: Open for feedback
Public consultation period to
On this page
What we’re doing
We’d like to hear your thoughts about making our late-night trading areas into special entertainment precincts. These areas already support late-night trading, with businesses able to a lodge development application to stay open late. Special entertainment precincts can:
- encourage businesses to provide live music and performance
- make it easier and reduce costs for licensed and unlicensed businesses, such as bookshops and cafes, to trade late without a development application
- give businesses access to the NSW Government’s 80% reduction in liquor licence fees and extended licensing hours for live performance
- allow us to set sound criteria that suit the context of the area and encourage live music and performance.
Special entertainment precincts are part of the NSW Government’s vibrancy reforms. These precincts support live entertainment through extended trading hours and sound controls that provide operational certainty for businesses and neighbouring residents. Councils can establish special entertainment precincts in their local areas.
We’ve published a discussion paper that outlines the full details of the proposal, including maps of the proposed precinct areas, trading hours by precinct type and next steps for sound management.
Special entertainment precincts
Late night trading areas mapPDF · 8.04 MB · Last modified
A comprehensive map of late-night trading precincts across the City of Sydney, showing boundaries for Late Night Management (green), City Living (yellow), and Local Centres (red). Crosshatched blue areas show locations that would need changes to state planning policies to become special entertainment precincts.
Discussion paperPDF · 1.37 MB · Last modified
Key precinct areas
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Why we’re doing it
Designating special entertainment precincts within our existing late-night trading areas is part of our ongoing commitment to supporting a thriving, balanced night-time economy.
In consultation for Sustainable Sydney 2030—2050 Continuing the Vision, our communities told us they want a vibrant, lively city with diverse shopping, dining and entertainment options. In recent consultations about the late-night economy, young people told us that they want safer, alcohol-free activities and recreation options available at night.
- Support for local businesses: By reducing application requirements and costs, special entertainment precincts make it easier for businesses to offer late-night activities. Business operators gain more flexibility and can adjust their hours based on customer demand with less red tape.
- Enhanced nightlife options: The precincts aim to create lively areas with a range of things to do, from live music to cultural performances, supported by a fine grain mix of shops, and nightlife spaces. This approach fosters a welcoming night-time atmosphere for everyone.
- Balanced sound and amenity: We aim to balance nightlife with the needs of nearby residents. In special entertainment precincts, sound levels will be specifically tailored to each area, allowing nightlife to thrive while protecting residential amenity.
Have your say
We’re seeking your views on the proposed locations, trading hours and your experience of nightlife in these precincts.
- Do you support making our existing late-night trading areas special entertainment precincts?
- Are there precinct boundaries or trading hours you would like adjusted?
- How could special entertainment precincts improve nightlife in your area?
- Please read the full discussion paper and share your feedback.
How you can give feedback
Consultation closes at 5pm on Monday 20 January 2025.
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Complete our survey
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Attend a briefing session
Join Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO to learn about our proposal.
Tuesday 3 December 2024 at Lower Town Hall, Sydney Town Hall.
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Email or post your feedback
You can send your feedback by email to [email protected] or post to:
Senior Project Officer, City Engagement
City of Sydney
Town Hall House, Level 7, 456 Kent Street
Sydney NSW 2000 -
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