Law changes proposed to revive Sydney's 'strangled' nightlife
Proposed changes to NSW's nightlife laws are being introduced into Parliament today in an attempt to revive Sydney's "strangled" nightlife.
The suggested reforms aim to cut the red tape that currently favours noise complaints over live music and the city's nightlife, the Minns Government said.
If the reforms pass, Sydney's nightlife could look drastically different.
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The vibrancy package complements the NSW Government's plan to build more homes and a better state to live in by ensuring local venues, events and community life flourishes. The Vibrancy Reforms are cutting red tape that has tipped the balance against live music and community life and in favour of neighbour complaints designed to turn the dial down on culture and entertainment. Nine
Pub-goers would be allowed to stand and drink outside of pubs, and any licensed venue would be able to put on live music performances.
"A guiding principle of the Vibrancy Reforms is building communities in which after-work hours and weekends are not simply a time to retreat behind a closed front door at home, but a time that brings people together," Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said.
"It is about cutting the red tape that has strangled nightlife over time and made local live music and performance at venues in many cases the exception rather than the rule."
Specifically, the reforms would rip up the existing "no entertainment" clause for licensed venues, which currently dictates what genre of music venues can play and how many musicians can play in the venue.
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The reforms would also put protections in place to stop noise complaints from shutting down the nightlife. Getty
It will also throw out outdoor dining approvals that stop pub-goers from standing while drinking outside of a pub or club.
The reforms would also put protections in place to stop noise complaints from shutting down the city's nightlife.
Property buyers would be notified that they are buying in an existing entertainment zone.
"From binning restrictions on outdoor dining to encouraging more local entertainment zones, our reforms back in live music and will help get Sydney's nightlife going again," Premier Chris Minns said.
It would also toss out the rule that says people living within five kilometres of an RSL or sports club need to become members before signing in.
The Major Events Act would also be amended to support events like the Sydney Festival and Vivid Sydney.
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