The new round of vibrancy reforms by the New South Wales (NSW) government stand to make hosting events and extending trading hours easier for cafés and other hospitality venues in the state.
NSW’s vibrancy reforms, released as the Cultural State Environmental Planning Policy, are a cross-government initiative developed to improve the state’s night-time and 24-hour economies and create a stronger environment for its venues and artists.
Included in the latest round is the ability for cafés and other venues to keep their doors open for longer during big local events, with councils able to declare special trading hours for specific areas.
Venues will also be able to increase their capacity for outdoor dining. Live entertainment including music, comedy, book readings, and other performances will be able to occur both indoors and outdoors without development applications.
State Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, says the reforms are part of the wider intervention to streamline regulations surrounding NSW’s wider hospitality sector.
“These simple planning changes will re-awaken NSW’s events, entertainment, and hospitality sectors which have been suffering under excessive regulations since the introduction of lockout laws in 2014,” he says.
“We’re simplifying the rules to empower local councils and businesses to host events, extend trading hours, and bring communities together through arts, culture, and hospitality without the headache of unnecessary red tape.”
Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham believes the changes will result in more revenue for the state’s hospitality businesses.
“Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities on earth, but red tape has stopped venues from properly using their outdoor space. That is now changing thanks to these reforms,” he says.
“We know that arduous, expensive planning approvals have been a stop sign to progress in NSW, so just like we have done for housing, we are now cutting planning red tape to boost vibrancy.
“These changes will increase entertainment options and boost the bottom line for businesses.”
The government says it will release practical resources including a Vibrancy Guidelines and an Events Guide to help councils and businesses make the most of the new opportunities.
