Bondi Junction Entertainment Precinct: Waverley Council reveal plans to boost night-time economy

A vision to transform a major CBD in Sydney’s east into an entertainment hub has been revealed, as business owners say tough council laws are preventing a booming night-life economy.

A Sydney council has revealed ambitious plans to revive the eastern suburbs night time economy – with blueprints for a massive entertainment precinct set to be decided on.

Waverley Council has unveiled plans to revitalise Bondi Junction with an expansive entertainment precinct as part of a proposal set to be decided on.

Business are currently restricted to stringent operating hours, preventing them from opening after 11pm, with owners and councillors advocating for extended trading hours.

Under one proposed plan set to be debated on November 21, the Bondi Junction Entertainment Precinct could be bounded by Grafton, Oxford, Denison and Ebley streets and Hollywood Ave.

Terence Clee

Bondi Junction landlord Terence Clee said he lost his tenant who ran a nightclub at his commercial property, because they were not able to trade for longer hours.

“We can’t get a tenant anymore, because of the short trading hours at night,” he said.

Mr Clee said he owns a license to have a nightclub open until 4am - under NSW state laws - in his property, but due to the council by-laws they weren’t able to open late.

Waverley councillor Sally Betts called on council to investigate steps required to create an entertainment precinct in Bondi Junction “to improve the vibrancy of the Bondi Junction commercial centre”.

The council papers forecast the need to modify local planning controls.

Council planners said addressing these issues surrounding outdoor dining hours, footpath seating and noise levels would be the first key step to introduce an Entertainment Precinct in Bondi Junction.

Waverley Councillor Sally Betts. Picture: John Appleyard

Cr Betts said allowing hospitality business to open later than 11pm would be benefit the eastern suburbs economy.

“We have no night life at all, now it’s completely dead, we don’t have enough restaurants, we have very little music,” she said “venues really struggle because of Waverley’s own controls.

“They only get a license until 11pm at night.”

The councillor said trialling later opening hours for entertainment venues to about 2am “would be a good start”.

The NSW Government is currently planning for the creation of more night-life precincts, “to foster diverse environments that reflect the culture of their local areas”.

A night-life economy trial in Sydney’s inner west was so successful it was made permanent in March.

Bondi Junction could be transformed into an entertainment precinct.

“The approved trial and subsequent long-term extension of the Enmore Road Entertainment Precinct delivered by the Inner West Council clearly establishes a model to establish an Entertainment Precinct in Bondi Junction,” council planners said.

“There are many similarities between the Enmore Road and Oxford/Spring Streets precincts so the Inner West Model could be used. Various boundary options could be considered including the two shown below.”

Night-time Economy Minister John Graham said, the government was backing businesses and councils to improve their night-time offering and hours.

“Our vibrancy package, expected to be debated in NSW parliament, is providing the framework for councils to change the rules to enable better going out experiences in their area,” Mr Graham said.

Night Time Economy Minister John Graham. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for SXSW Sydney)

He said the success of the Enmore Road Special Entertainment Precinct, which was “rated one of the best going out districts in the world” was a good example of what can be achieved, and he wanted to see other areas get on-board.

“At a statewide level, we are encouraging businesses to innovate and we want them to support live performance by giving certainty around noise complaints. One agency, Liquor and Gaming NSW, will become the lead regulator,” he said.

“The days of single neighbour, serial complaints that close down venues is over,” Mr Graham said.

The motion was passed unanimously on November 21.