Minns government dumps clubs’ 5km rule to bolster Sydney night-life

One of the state’s most annoying rules will be scrapped making it easier to get into your local club, in a move that is letting “adults be adults”.

One of the state’s most irritating rules – that anyone living within five kilometres of a club must become a member to sign in for entry – is to be abolished, as part of red-tape removal to encourage people to go out.

Six months after American pop star Pink was denied entry to a Sydney sailing club for not having ID, the Minns government is scrapping the “antiquated” rule as part of the next round of entertainment reforms to be introduced into state parliament.

Under the NSW Registered Clubs Act 1976, if you live within five kilometres of a club, you have to become a member — which often costs money to pay an annual membership fee — to sign in to the club.

If you live outside the five kilometre radius, you have to become a temporary member which is free. However, some clubs require you to be signed in by a member, or require membership of another RSL or Service Club in NSW.

Dave Farquharson, Liz Farquharson, Lucy Garvey and Ben Garvey enjoy a drink in the sun at North Bondi RSL. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Designed to benefit each local club, the radius rule has led to countless head-scratching moments and unexpected paperwork over the years for people just wanting to enter their local club or RSL for a meal or beverage.

Clubs – which have been lobbying for the change – believe the abolition of the rule will actually encourage new members to sign up to take advantage of discounts and facilities such as gyms and pools.

By dumping the rule, people in the 5km radius don’t have to join up — they can just show ID and sign in as a temporary member like those who live outside the radius.

Declaring the old rule an “unwanted rite of passage”, Night-time Economy Minister John Graham said it was time adults were “treated like adults”.

“It has been an unwanted rite of passage for so many to be stuck in bureaucratic limbo over membership at the entry to a club when all you want to do is go inside for a drink and a meal,” he said.

“Scrapping the five kilometre rule is just the start of our next round of reforms to reboot the night-life and ­vibrancy of the state, which are all about boosting the night-time economy, treating adults like adults and stripping back redundant red tape.”

Night-time Economy Minister John Graham. Picture: Damian Shaw

Mr Graham said he believed removing the rule would lead to people exploring more of their local clubs, or trying ones further afield.

In the case of Pink, the pop star had tried to enter the Manly Skiff Club during her Australian Summer Carnival tour but could not produce her ID.

Apologising to Pink at the time, the club said the singer was not “kicked out” but had chosen to leave the venue after encountering the sign-in process issue.

While the proposed changes mean Pink won’t need ID to prove where she lives in relation to the radius rule, clubs may still demand visitors show identification before entering.

Welcoming the change, ClubsNSW CEO Rebecca Riant said the organisations had been lobbying for the rule to be removed.

“We have long advocated for this change, so this is a fantastic outcome for our industry,” she said.

“It’s about providing clubs with the choice, and for many clubs, particularly golf and sailing clubs who have social membership caps, this will make a huge difference.”

North Bondi RSL Acting CEO Blake Johnson said the rule had led to some tourists walking away.

“This is a really good move,” Mr Johnson said.

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Originally published as Minns government dumps clubs’ 5km rule to bolster Sydney night-life