Sydneysiders are hungry for more to do after dark, according to a recent review by the City of Sydney.
Community members were invited to give feedback on new proposals to invigorate the city’s nightlife. The feedback is part of the city’s first review of planning controls in over a decade.
The council recently adopted an ‘agents of change’ approach requiring new residential developments to better manage noise to make it easier for small business to operate later in the city precincts. The review allowed for community feedback on this process.
Over 10,000 Sydney residents gave their opinions, with many locals calling for an extension of business operating hours and a better nightlife.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said it was no surprise that Sydneysiders and visitors have an appetite for lively city precincts.“Over the last decade, we’ve undertaken extensive community consultation and spoken to thousands of people across our community about the kind of creative and cultural life they want for Sydney and what they want to see and do in their city at night”, the Lord Mayor said.
“This most recent feedback tells us once again that our residents and visitors want a diverse and exciting night-time economy with events and activities for people of all ages and interests. What they absolutely do not want is a city that is unsafe or that shuts down as soon as the sun goes down.”
Whilst the Lord Mayor suggests the city has been greatly affected by the lockout laws she suggests there is still hope for a vibrant Sydney after dark.
“We are not alone in the issues that we are facing in Sydney – and thankfully we are part of a network of global cities who are finding the best, evidence-based solutions to the issues that most global cities face.
“Sydney’s nightlife is a complex ecosystem which has undoubtedly been impacted by the NSW Government’s ill-considered lockout laws and other factors.
“So we are committed to developing carefully considered policies that allow well-managed venues to continue to trade, while also managing the impacts of venues on local neighbourhoods.”
The Lord Mayor says the night-time economy is critical to Sydney’s future.
“So it’s essential we get the balance right and make sure our planning controls keep pace with the city as it changes and grows.
“In the coming months, we’ll recommend changes to the planning controls that respond to this feedback and better reflect our long-term vision for the night-time economy.”
Amongst the recommendations from the review were:
Strong support for trading hours for late-night premises across the city to increase, particularly in Green Square, Broadway and parts of Surry Hills.
Support for maintaining or increasing the size of late-night trading areas across the city, while ensuring already popular precincts like Newtown remain safe and sustainable.
Strong support for more diverse late-night businesses including shops, restaurants, cafes, small bars, live music and performance spaces and cultural venues across the city.
Strong support for increased late-night activity in fast-growing parts of the city like Green Square.
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