Sydney CBD: new 24-hour entertainment precinct plans could allow pubs, clubs, cafes and nightclubs extended trading

The NSW economy will be set for a $1 billion injection from the rollout of 24-hour entertainment precincts across the Sydney CBD, as well as 7000 new jobs. Here’s what you need to know.

The NSW economy will be set for a $1 billion injection from the rollout of 24-hour entertainment precincts across the Sydney CBD, as well as 7000 new jobs.

Exclusive Business Sydney data reveals the 24-hour retail, dining and entertainment hub was a $1 billion opportunity for thestate, adding to the $5.7 billion in sales turnover raised by Sydney’s night time economy in the last financial year.

Business Sydney executive Paul Nicolaou said: “The ‘city that never sleeps concept’ would add at least $1 billion to the city’s bottom line in consumer spending.

“Our estimates show that a 20 per cent increase in Sydney’s night time economy would account for 7,000 new jobs,” he said. “The combined effects of NSW Government and City of Sydney moves represents a massive boost for the CBD economy.

“These are global city initiatives that should be supported wholeheartedly.”

Business NSW has also been examining the benefits of expanding the CBD economy to a 24-hour footing.

Restauranteur Luke Mangan in the lobby of The Kimpton Hotel where he plans to take over the whole space next to his restaurant The Margot for his long lunch initiative. Jane Dempster/Daily Telegraph.

High-profile restauranter Luke Mangan said the move was “fantastic”.

“It’s the right time to get Sydney back on the world stage with our amazing restaurants, bars and cafes in and around the city,” he said. ““We need more things like this and more events and I will continue to lobby the government for our long lunchin the CBD”.

On Wednesday, The Daily Telegraph exclusively revealed Sydney is set to become a city that never sleeps under new plans to allow CBD entertainment businesses to operate all night long.

City of Sydney Council released plans for entertainment precincts in the CBD to allow bars, clubs, and even cafes and retail shops across the majority of the CBD to apply to open 24 hours a day.

The proposal also includes the option for venues to apply for an additional three hours of late-night trading to 4am for small bars and clubs in the CBD and the embattled Oxford St entertainment precinct, without a development application.

The proposed special entertainment precinct plans for the Sydney CBD.

“Extended” trading hours are also on the cards for pubs, registered clubs and restaurants, meaning patrons will be able to be served longer into the night.

The new rules will apply to businesses and venues in the CBD Special Entertainment Precinct - which is the majority of the CBD, stretching south from Circular Quay to Central Station, and from Darling Harbour to Hyde Park.

The Daily Telegraph’s Future Sydney: Bradfield Oration campaigned for a 24-hour vision to revitalise the Sydney CBD, calling for increased trading hours and cuts to red tape for entertainment hubs.

The move is one of the biggest reforms to Sydney’s night-time economy since controversial lockout laws were imposed a decade ago.

Mr Nicolaou said the entertainment precinct plans would make Sydney a “truly global, 24-hour city”.

“Sydney doesn’t need to be a city that shuts down at 9 o’clock, a time when comparable world cities are coming to life,” he said. “It also shows what the state government and council can achieve when they are on the same page on ways to bring people back to a revitalised CBD.

Paul Nicolaou from Business Sydney. Picture by Max Mason-Hubers

The business boss said the rise of a 24-hour CBD reignites the spark for 24-hour Sydney Metro services.

“As Business Sydney has long advocated, it is a further compelling reason for light rail to be made fare free from Circular Quay to Surry Hills,” he said. “Fare free light rail would encourage visitors to our wonderful city to travel further into the city to discover its retail, dining and entertainment districts.”

Newly re-elected City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the entertainment plan would make the CBD’s night-life standout on the global stage.

“On the back of lockouts and lockdowns it’s time to breathe new life into Sydney’s cultural life and night-time economy,” she told The Daily Telegraph. “Special Entertainment Precincts build on our extended trading hours and incentives for live entertainment by introducing sound controls that provide certainty for venues and cheaper licensing fees.”

City of Sydney Mayor Clover Moore. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

The Lord Mayor also backed calls for a 24-hour Metro service to meet the demands of citygoers.

“This would not only help people to get around the city and enjoy all it has to offer,” she said. “It would help hospitality workers, many of whom are young women, feel more comfortable in working a late shift and getting home safely.”

Sydney hospitality businesses call on Lord Mayor Clover Moore to revive night-life

Sydney restaurants, cafes threaten to cut staff amid massive downshift in customer spending

A council planner said the proposed special entertainment precincts stretching across the majority of the CBD would “allows venues to potentially trade later without the need for a DA”.

“24-hour trading would still be subject to a DA and trial period,” she said. “The trading hours permitted in Special Entertainment Precincts would be dependent on the type of business and the area it is located, reflecting our current approach.”

Sydney band, The Blamers, fronted by lead singer Bella Grist, performs. Photo: Tom Parrish

Under the proposal, larger venues and nightclubs will be allowed to open until 2am.

However, the same entertainment-based businesses would be able to open 24-hours a day, if they submit an application for 24-hour trading, and operate in the greenlit precincts.

The plan would also see retail shopfronts in the Special Entertainment Precinct allowed to apply to operate around the clock, unlike current restrictions which only allow late night shopping on Thursday nights.

A busy evening around Sydney Harbour. Picture: istock

“The proposed approach emphasises the quantity and diversity of night life areas in the area; extends the benefits of Special Entertainment Precincts to as many businesses as possible (and) avoids potential impacts of noise and anti-social behaviour coming from the over-intensification of night-time activity in small areas,” a council planner said.

“By adopting our tried and tested approach to trading hours but adapting it to align it the NSW Government’s Vibrancy Reforms, we are seeking to promote access to live music and performance across our area.”

The planner said the proposed Special Entertainment Precinct plan would also prevent the focus of “economic activity, investment, and patronage to limited designated areas at the expense of other areas”.

A City of Sydney planning committee, chaired by Cr Moore, approved the initial plan on Monday, before council will vote to place the plans on exhibition next week.

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