Sutherland Shire Council begins community consultation for Cronulla Special Entertainment Precinct

A southern Sydney suburb could be next in line for a cultural makeover under plans to transform the state’s night time economy. Here’s what local venues think.

An iconic southern Sydney suburb could be the next neighbourhood in line for a cultural makeover under plans to transform the state’s night-time economy.

Sutherland Shire Council has begun consultations for a Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) in Cronulla as part of a long-term vision to revitalise the town centre after the sun goes down.

Sutherland Shire Mayor Jack Boyd said the precinct would allow for a suite of dining, live music, and entertainment perks including later outdoor dining, an additional hour of trading for venues with live entertainment, and allowances for amplified noise to boost an over-regulated and underperforming night-life scene.

“Cronulla certainly isn’t as lively as it used to be,” Mr Boyd said.

“I think we’ve nailed the breakfast and morning culture, it’s absolutely thriving … but at night-time we don’t have that same sort of hustle and bustle.

The perimeters for a potential precinct has been outlined in black. Picture: SSC

Community members have been asked to give their feedback on what they would like included in the potential precinct. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Sutherland Shire Council Mayor Jack Boyd.

“We want to find a way to bring that back and really encourage it, whether it’s through live music venues or having more places where people can go out and enjoy their evenings … and we’ve seen a strong amount of desire for that from members of the public.”

The proposal comes amid a push from the Minns Government to boost night-time economies through the $1m Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) Kickstart Grant Program under the 2023 Vibrancy Reforms.

According to early plans put forward to the community for consultation, the precinct zone is being considered between the Kingsway, Esplanade, Cronulla Wharf and Nicholas Parade with the Cronulla Plaza a logical centre.

More than 10 Sydney councils are currently on track to secure SEP status, however, Mr Boyd said Cronulla would not “copy and paste what’s been in done in other areas” such as Enmore in the Inner West, as he allayed NIMBY forces who may contest the proposal.

Residents have been able to provide location recommendations on the ‘Join the Conversation’ platform. Picture: SSC

Pippis Cronulla and other venues have thrown their support behind the SEP.

“If we want to have these great opportunities available to us locally, it may come with some degree of conflict or change but we’re going to manage that … rather than putting our heads in the sand and saying it’s OK the way it is,” he said.

“We have to be thinking about everybody and their needs, not just the people who might necessarily live next door.

“And it’s not saying, ‘oh well, everything would be better if we had another nightclub’, but it’s saying that there [needs to be] diversity in choice.”

Bobby’s Restaurant and Bar owner Adam Micola said the precinct would help Cronulla live up to its full potential, with businesses currently suffering from a “trade drain” to more vibrant city hubs.

“Cronulla has got the DNA to rival our fellow beachside suburbs such as Bondi and Manly, it definitely has the demographic, the natural beauty, and the all-important seaside location, but it’s just lacking a village atmosphere” Mr Micola said.

The Cronulla Sailing Club submitted a joint petition to include its venue in the draft SEP zone.

“A lot of people are leaving the local government area (LGA) to go and spend money in different LGAs, and I just don’t think that should be happening out of necessity.”

Mr Micola pointed to The Rocks in the inner city as a blueprint for how red-tape reform can bring suburbs back to life.

“Look at multiple other LGAs …(the City of Sydney) went as far as closing a whole lane of traffic (in the Rocks) to have all the businesses out there activating the kerbside with live entertainment and outdoor dining, and obviously what that has done is create a cultural village environment that wasn’t there before,” he said.

Pippis owner Adam Choker.

Bobby’s Cronulla owner Adam Micola. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Cronulla Sailing Club director Paul Fielder and Pippis Cronulla owner Adam Choker submitted a joint petition to have the draft SEP zone redrawn to include their venues, with hopes the precinct will be “the rising tide that lifts all boats”.

“Cronulla needs to able to provide more of what people want without being restrained (by noise complaints and red-tape),” Mr Fielder said.

“If we’re sensible about our approach, and we’re selective about the types of operations that we’re putting forward, and as long as they’re beneficial for the community … we have the opportunity to make Cronulla a special place in Sydney,” Mr Choker said.

Sutherland Shire residents have until Friday, November 29 to offer initial feedback on the plans through the ‘Join the Conversation’ platform.