Coffee at 3am? The plan to make NSW more convenient for shift workers

Labor is vowing to make NSW safer and more convenient for its surging after-dark workforce, under a plan to boost the 24-hour economy to better cater for the one in five employees who work shifts.

Night-time Economy Minister John Graham said more than 18 months after the Minns government started implementing policies to help the hospitality and entertainment sectors revive late-night offerings in Sydney, its focus would expand to the around-the-clock workforce throughout NSW.

24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues is expanding his focus beyond Sydney to the around-the-clock workforce.Credit: Edwina Pickles

“Our goal is to highlight our state as a safe and exciting night-time destination – not just for people looking for a great night out but for the people working hard to keep our state running at night.”

Graham said the government’s updated 24-hour economy strategy, released on Monday, would first concentrate attention on improving safety and services for thousands of shift workers based at employment hubs in Randwick, Liverpool, Port Kembla and the future Western Sydney Airport.

The strategy suggests regulation changes to better manage noise and use of outdoor spaces; increasing transport options at night to increase patronage and safety; and establishing an independent 24-Hour Economy Advisory Council to connect government and industry players.

About 872,620 nurses, doctors, paramedics, police, drivers, retailers, cleaners, security guards and workers in the manufacturing and construction sectors make up 21 per cent of workers in NSW.

That proportion is forecast to surge by between 5 and 13 percentage points by 2031, according to SGS Economics and Planning.

Graham said shift workers often had fewer transport options for their commute, and frequently struggled to buy a coffee or meal before or after they started work.

“This growing group of essential workers deserves safe environments and adequate services. Meeting their needs represents an enormous opportunity for the nighttime economy. But this requires us to plan as well for the night as we do for the day,” Graham said.

Plans to boost commercial activity between 6pm and 6am have in the past been hampered by late-night trading restrictions, staffing costs, transport options and concerns about disturbing residents.

Graham said he requested the Office of the 24-Hour Commissioner, Michael Rodrigues, to consult widely to “identify the pain points and bring a whole-of-government approach” to fixing problems.

Rodrigues said while the late-night economy typically focused on entertainment, boosting the 24-hour economy would require services such as transport, libraries, shopping centres and gyms to trade more flexibly in precincts with a high proportion of shift workers to meet their needs “with due regard to safety, workers’ rights, sustainability and quiet enjoyment of private property”.

“To be a world-class state that provides equity of amenity to its citizens irrespective of the hours they choose or are compelled to work … we need to optimise our regulatory system and the way the many participants in that ecosystem operate, with 24-hour economy thinking in mind.”

The Minns government plans to introduce its next round of “vibrancy” reforms, aimed at cutting regulation and supporting the hospitality and entertainment sectors, to state parliament in October.

On Sunday, Graham said the government would scrap the “antiquated” rule that prevented patrons living within five kilometres of a club or RSL from signing in without first becoming a member.

He said the move – which has been backed by Clubs NSW – was about “treating adults like adults” and would hopefully encourage more people to visit their neighbourhood venue for a meal or drink.

Get alerts on significant breaking news as happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.