Newtown community leaders take proactive steps to maintain the area’s vibrant night-life

NEWTOWN has taken proactive measures to maintain its vibrant night life with voluntary ‘lockout’ measures and is keeping the vibe alive. Is Newtown the model for the rest of Sydney?

Newtown Patronage Lines at various clubs/pubs

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THE  King is dead — long live the King. The lights have gone out in Kings Cross but they are still very much aglow in King St, Newtown.

With heated debate over the State Government’s controversial lockout laws in the past month, attention has turned to Newtown and the initiatives put in place to maintain its diverse and harmonious community, while absorbing large swathes of former city partygoers.

Last July, a public meeting heard residents were not feeling as safe as in the past, with intimidating and harassing behaviour rising.

Newtown has been becoming more popular as a night spot as it remains outside the City lockout zone. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

Much was attributed to the effects of the lockout, which exempted Newtown.

The community decided to act to keep Newtown safe, while still having a vibrant night-life scene.

A Newtown Vibe Roundtable, bringing together community leaders, kicked off in August.

“What we all have in common is wanting to protect the vibe of Newtown,” roundtable chair and Newtown Neighbourhood Centre CEO Liz Yeo told the Inner West Courier.

Through the roundtable, dedicated taxi ranks popped up on either side of King St.

A Friday night vibes program started in February and will run to early April.

Local musicians take over Newtown Square, there are suitcase markets, chill-out spaces and free popcorn.

Revellers enjoy a night out in Newtown. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

Separate to the roundtable, six local venues signed on to a six-month trial of voluntary lockouts on Friday and Saturday nights, with shots banned after midnight.

The proactive measures have helped calm things down.

“Anecdotally, we’ve had people say things seem to be a bit calmer. I’m not suggesting things are not going to be an issue (but) there’s definitely a general sense things are better,” Ms Yeo said.

The most recent Newtown Local Area Command community safety precinct committee meeting reported “voluntary lockouts are working very well”.

“We are seeing licensed premises reporting more to police,” Inspector Ian Macey said.

“We have seen an increase of people coming into the area but it is not comparable to the slight increase in street crime.”