Inner West Council set to rubber stamp Enmore Special Entertainment Precinct in boost for venues, artists, patrons

A Sydney council is set to rubber-stamp the first permanent ‘special entertainment precinct’ in the state – in a boost for venues, gigs and pub-goers. See what it means here.

Odd Culture Group, who run The Duke, Enmore – pictured here – were granted the first 4am bar licence in Newtown in over 100 years.

A Sydney council is set to rubber stamp the first permanent ‘special entertainment precinct’ in the state in a boost for venues, artists and pub-goers.

Inner West Council is expected to approve plans to turn the Newtown stretch of Enmore Rd into a permanent Special Entertainment Precinct – meaning later closing times for outdoor dining and more lenient sound restrictions.

It’ll be the first of its kind to be rubber stamped in NSW after its successful trial last year and

has resulted in the rollout of similar precincts in Marrickville, Leichhardt, Rozelle and Balmain.

Odd Culture’s The Duke, Merivale’s Queen Chow and Jacoby’s Tiki Bar are a few of the venues to benefit, introduced by council to help kickstart the night-time economy post-Covid.

Band The Soul Movers, fronted by singer Lizzie Mac and former red Wiggle Murray Cook – who have played across Enmore venues – said the entertainment precinct was “integral”.

“If we don’t protect and cement these places, they’ll go the way of other music areas in Sydney, like Kings Cross,” Ms Mac said.

“You can see how quickly the city can lose places like this, it’s vital we protect them.”

Lizzie Mac (right) of The Soul Movers said entertainment areas were vital for the industry and patrons. Pictures: Supplied

Ms Mac said music venues were “fundamental” to human behaviour and mental health.

“You never know how much you value an area like this until it’s gone,” she said.

Odd Culture group’s entertainment manager Sabrina Medcalf – who run the Duke in Enmore – said the plan had allowed the venue to “show our true colours”.

“Enmore Rd is absolutely bustling – it’s very cool, has a very West Hollywood vibe where pubs can turn out punk gigs and restaurants decide that degustation is better with jazz,” she said.

Sabrina Medcalf said the SEP had helped the Duke and the venue group. Picture: Supplied

“Artists, touring companies, sound techs and lost-soul ticket holders were supremely affected (by the pandemic) and it took some time to get our mojo back – I think it’s safe to say we’re back and the SEP has made a huge effort in supporting all.”

Meanwhile, high-profile chef and restaurateur Luke Mangan, who owns two Sydney venues, said the move would boost the dining and tourism scene.

Chef Luke Mangan welcomed the proposals. Picture: Richard Walker

“Cities like New York and Tokyo are bustling – Sydney needs to continue to keep up with that, which would help drive tourism,” he said.

Mr Mangan said the SEP would benefit more than just revellers and licensees.

“The flow-on effect is huge – it will create more jobs, it will drive trade, and it’s great for locals too,” he said.

Councillors will vote on whether to amend the Local Environment Plan to permanently include the SEP, which will see a planning proposal lodged to the NSW Planning Environment, at Tuesday’s meeting.

The SEP will cover the bustling Enmore Rd precinct. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

The changes would include later outdoor closing times; council taking over from Liquor and Gaming on noise complaints; and ensuring new buildings around the zones were equipped with sound protection.

According to council documents, more than 60 per cent of nearby residents supported the move, and comments from those in favour said the SEP had “created a great atmosphere”.

Eight Enmore Rd businesses were canvased as part of community consultations by council staff, and supported the move.

However, parking and cleanliness were raised as a concerns if the road permanently became an entertainment late-night zone.

If supported by councillors on Tuesday, it will then be submitted to the state government to rubber stamp the move.