City of Sydney council’s responses to resident submissions about 24-hour city plan

The City of Sydney council has responded to hundreds of submissions opposing the proposal outlining a 24-hour entertainment plan in the CBD. Read what they said.

Hundreds of submissions were lodged after a proposal to revolutionise Sydney’s CBD with a 24-hour entertainment plan was released. Picture: Damian Shaw

The City of Sydney council responded to hundreds of submissions opposing a proposal outlining a 24-hour entertainment plan in the CBD.

Despite hundreds of objections to the plan, council planners recommended councillors green light the rollout of new Special Entertainment Precincts, which would allow live entertainment venues to open as late as 2am without changes to their licence.

The proposal would allow live entertainment venues in the new precincts to open as late as 2am without changes to their council licence. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Read some of the resident submissions and council responses below:

Submission:

“Electronic gaming machines are also part of entertainment sound — The DCP fails to include electronic gaming machines (poker machines) in the definition of entertainment sound.”

Council’s response:

The City acknowledges electronic gaming machines as a source of disturbance from venues. However, section 209 of the Gaming Machines Act 2001 prohibits any planning instrument or condition of development consent from regulating the installation or operating of approved gaming machines. Any local planning control covering sound from electronic gaming machines would contravene this section of the Act.

Submission:

“Residents … should not have to hear venues (Pubs, clubs etc …) noise in their own homes with doors and windows shut”

“Noise pollution is detrimental to human health, not just mental health but physical health.”

“Some venues already are too loud and run all night.”

Council’s response:

All DCP provisions only apply when a development application is involved, i.e. when

development is occurring. The draft DCP includes provisions specifying when it applies.

This is only when a new dwelling is created. Nothing in the draft DCP would result in lesser rights or increased sound impacts to properties shown on the Entertainment Sound DCP maps.

Submission:

“With more apartment living, it is important not to create areas into late night trading areas when people need to sleep.”

“We already live in a noisy city. Dogs barking and car hooning.”

“There is already too much noise with people screaming, yelling, playing loud music on their phones outside residences”

“Noise from late night pedestrian traffic leaving venues is a real threat to the amenity enjoyed by residents of our area.”

“Concerned about noise from patrons leaving premises late at night.”

“It will lead to an increase in crime.”

“There are so many residences on Darlinghurst Road and it would feel unsafe going into those buildings if the street turned into late night venues.”

“The quiet hours that many residents depend on would be compromised, making the area less safe, particularly for vulnerable groups.”

“Encourages excessive alcohol consumption, drug taking and associated bad behaviour that can be a danger for people and property.”

“I feel safe at night walking around this area and I don’t want that amenity to disappear, which could well happen.”

Council’s response:

Growing the night-time economy is a long term strategic objective of the City. Not only is it an important economic sector in its own right, but it also supports Sydney’s economy more

generally by increasing its attractiveness to workers, students and other groups.

Submission:

“Any increase in noise would make for a worsened living environment for the people living in these designated zones.”

“The quiet hours that many residents depend on would be compromised.”

“Impacts from any future noisy late-night activity at Central Barangaroo also need to be carefully considered with respect to its impacts on the huge number of residential dwellings in the vicinity.”

“Think again and broaden your perspective to include other age groups and what might appeal to them.”

“We strongly urge the responsible authorities to prioritise the rights and quality of life of existing residents by rejecting this proposal.”

“I am writing to formally object to the proposal to designate Walsh Bay as a Special Entertainment Precinct”

“I’m of the belief that the encouragement of high concentrations of late night venues within any given area is a planning failure.”

Council’s response:

The current entertainment noise condition of consent, and the liquor licence condition for

entertainment sound used by Liquor and Gaming NSW, both use 7am to midnight for

daytime and midnight to 7am as late night. As criteria for building and construction, the

DCP will require venues to be designed and built to meet the acoustic criteria that will be

enforced by Liquor and Gaming NSW.