Inner West: Four more entertainment precincts set for LGA under council plans

Sydney could be set for four more entertainment and late-night precincts under a council plan welcomed by licensees and music venues. See the proposals.

The Factory Theatre, Marrickville, which could benefit from a proposed Marrickville entertainment precinct. Picture: Jack Moran

Sydney could be set for four more entertainment and late-night precincts under a council plan welcomed by licensees.

Inner West Council will explore turning main thoroughfares in Marrickville, Balmain, Rozelle and Leichhardt into special entertainment precincts.

This would mean 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.

The move comes after the success of the Enmore Rd entertainment precinct, trialled by council last year and in the process of being formalised.

“It would definitely encourage night-life to return,” The Cricketer’s Arms co-owner Tommy Hall said, which is slap bang in the centre of Balmain’s proposed entertainment precinct.

“There’s so many pubs around here it could become a great little night-life precinct.

Cricketer’s Arms co-owners Tommy Hall (left) and Ray Reilly (centre), who applauded the proposals.

The Cricketer's Arms, Balmain. Picture: Supplied

“It could bring more people from Newtown or the city to our neck of the woods.”

Under the plans, council, and not Liquor and Gaming, would play a role in noise complaints, and there’d be clearer and more relaxed sound guidelines for venues.

“It (sound complaints) is a problem a lot of us face, so any support we could get there would be great,” Mr Hall said.

Outdoor drinkers would also get an extra 30 minutes on street fronts or beer gardens, “the best seat in the house”, Mr Hall said.

The proposals come after the success of the Enmore special entertainment precinct. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

In Balmain and Rozelle, Darling St and parts of Victoria Rd would be included in the precinct. Norton St and parts of Parramatta Rd in Leichhardt would be designated, while in Marrickville a 1.7km stretch between Sydenham Station and Marrickville Station would be created.

This would include venues Lazybones, Camelot Lounge and the Gaslight Pony among others.

A precinct along Victoria and Addison roads is also being mooted.

Stanmore councillor Chloe Smith, who is also Labor’s arts and culture spokeswoman on council, said it was a move to cement the area as Sydney’s “beating heart of culture”.

Councillor Chloe Smith said the proposal was a commitment to arts and culture. Picture: Supplied

“And we’re determined to keep that mantle,” she said.

“In terms of entertainment, arts and culture, the Inner West has everything under the sun – it’s important we keep all that.”

Ms Smith said council hoped to follow through on its commitment to help business and venues post-Covid.

“There’s another economic imperative in that we’ve got one of the highest rates of residents who work in that sector,” she said.

“We want say to people if you want to go into this industry there’s opportunities for you.”

Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou applauded the “more business support and less red tape”.

Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou said the more support for business the better.Picture: Damian Shaw

“Anything we can do to support these businesses post-Covid, and in a time where places are struggling with higher interest rates and less discretionary spend, the better,” he said.

Mr Nicolaou said if the precincts where a success he’d be urging councils across to the state to follow suit.

“If we don’t do more to help these sorts of businesses many will go under,” he said.

The report, prepared by council staff, will go before councillors on Tuesday and, if passed, would commence early engagement and investigations on the plans.

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