Using outdoor public spaces for events and venues has been made easier in NSW after a relaxation to development applications, in the latest move to reignite the night-time economy.
From today, live music, comedy and theatre are among the events that can be moved outdoors without a development application, as long as some “simple rules” are adhered to.
Venues and registered clubs with outdoor dining spaces can increase patron numbers by up to 30 per cent, while unlicensed businesses, including bookshops and cafes, will be able to stay open until midnight during special events.
Cafes are among the unlicensed venues that will be able to stay open until midnight during special events. (ABC News: Brendan Esposito)
Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham acknowledged the impact of red tape on many businesses in fulfilling their potential.
“Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities on earth but red tape has stopped venues from properly using their outdoor space,” Mr Graham said in a statement.
“These changes will increase entertainment options and boost the bottom line for businesses … We know that arduous, expensive planning approvals have been a stop sign to progress in NSW.”
Under the reforms, communities will also have more access to public parks, streets and town squares, in what Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said would make a “big difference” to hosting cultural events.
Creating ‘vibrant, bright communities’
He added that the government had been doing a lot of work to increase housing and transport options, but this was about creating “vibrant, bright communities”.
In regional areas, the changes — billed as a lift to “local food tourism” — will give on-farm cafes and cellar doors access to their outdoor space.
“Living in Sydney, living in parts of regional New South Wales shouldn’t just be about a home and a job,” Mr Scully said at a press conference announcing the policy.
“It’s got to be about having some fun along the way, enjoying time with family, friends and neighbours in a mix of settings.”
Paul Scully says the reforms are about making it easier for people to have some fun. (ABC News)
The removal of “outdated and lengthy planning pathways”, the government says, could deliver $8 billion to the night-time economy, as forecast by the NSW Productivity Commissioner’s report.
It is the latest move designed to counter the fallout from lockouts and COVID-19 lockdowns.
“They work in with the other tranches of the vibrancy reforms the government has undertaken to date, so collectively together they are a big transformation in the way that we do things in New South Wales,” Mr Scully said.
“It also means great opportunities for businesses throughout New South Wales to maximise the potential of their venues, but also the areas surrounding their venues through more outdoor dining.”
Reforms welcomed
Richard Adamson from Young Henrys Brewery has welcomed the reform. (ABC News)
Richard Adamson, from Young Henrys Brewery in Sydney’s inner-west, called the expansion of allowable outdoor space “amazing”.
“When you travel the world you get an understanding of how controlled Sydney has been and New South Wales has been in the past,” Mr Adamson said, who is also president of the Inner West Ale Trail.
“We have the climate for outdoor alfresco drinking and dining, and we should really take advantage of that and this reform will really help to do that.“
He said the company was still trying to catch up to its pre-COVID customer numbers, but they were “way behind” by about 15 to 20 per cent.
“There’s been a change, obviously, the cost of living crisis has been an impact for that, along with a change of cultural activity.
“In the city now, I think, Thursday is the new Friday, and then maybe people aren’t coming in Monday either.
“Anything to encourage people to get out and socialise, I think, is a really important aspect.”
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