City of Sydney Council pushes ahead with plan to help alfresco dining despite ‘NIMBY’ backlash

Bids made by a group of NIMBYS opposing the City of Sydney Council’s outdoor dining guidelines have been ignored, as the councils plans to push ahead with its plans to revitalise the city’s night-life.

A bunch of Sydney NIMBYS have made bids to block new outdoor dining precincts across the CBD over phantom fears of dogs barking, children playing and loud groups eating together.

City of Sydney Council received a series of complaints over a plan to help revitalise Sydney city’s night-life and outdoor dining precincts, with ‘NIMBY’ residents claiming the move would disrupt “neighbourhood peace”.

The council gave their updated outdoor dining guidelines the tick of approval in December, with the plans hopeful it will bring the harbour city into line with other parts of the world.

Alfresco dining in Lyon, France.

The revamped guidelines for al fresco dining areas will apply to Martin Place and along George St, from Circular Quay to Railway Square — allowing restaurants to extend their seating area out onto the footpath, increasing the capacity of each venue.

A map of the outdoor dining proposals along George Street. Picture: Supplied

While for Martin Place, the guidelines will allow restaurants to extend on both sides of the footpath to create a dining hub, with special consideration given for those that surround the war memorial and cenotaph.

During a year-long open submission, 47 people responded with 52 reasons why the proposed plans would disrupt the community, highlighting the fear of excess noise in the CBD.

One response argued (restaurant) owners should “take more responsibility for ensuring neighbourhood peace.”

The plans for Martin Place under the outdoor dining guidelines

While another made a complaint about the noise impacts experienced by residents in apartments adjacent to a pub.

Another accused the council of using Covid as a reason to bring upon the plan.

“Covid-recovery is no longer an appropriate justification for commercial uses in public space.”

But the council said it received a specific complaint about “noise from patrons at a nearby café, in particular, dogs, children playing and loud groups”.

The resident argued council should force business owners to “control all behaviour” and council “must require patrons to respect the peaceful amenity of quiet residential neighbourhoods”.

Martin Place is an area that has been earmarked as a dining hub in the Sydney CBD. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Although, the backlash has not deterred the City of Sydney Council, who have said “the proposal was given final endorsement by Council in December and the amendments are now in operation,” a council spokesman said.

“Among the community objections to the amendments were several general complaints about noise from cafes or pubs, including noise from patrons, their children and dogs.”

“The proposed provisions will assist in balancing the amenity of public spaces with the benefits of outdoor dining in activating the City’s public spaces.”

The council said this will continue to help businesses and the city’s night-life, which has been crippled since the Covid pandemic.

Commuters will be able to use the light rail to travel between dining spots. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)

“We have supported more than 700 businesses to trade on footpaths and on roadways, with over 4,460 square metres in footpath space approved for alfresco dining to help businesses operate safely outdoors.”  

Workers in the area like Natalia Nader said it’s a step in the right direction in improving the night-life.

“I think it’s good for businesses, it’s really vibrant and it will make the atmosphere better,” Ms Nader said.

Fellow worker Jordyn Filies doesn’t believe the complaints about noise are just.

“It’s the Sydney CBD, it is (noise) what is expected anyway,” Ms Filies said.

Originally published as City of Sydney Council pushes ahead with plan to help alfresco dining despite ‘NIMBY’ backlash