So-called “nanny state” laws that govern Sydney’s live music venues and bustling pubs in the heart of city will be overhauled in proposed changes being introduced to the New South Wales parliament.
The raft of changes proposed by the NSW government will make it easier for venues to host events – and more difficult for noise complaints to lead to them being shut them down.
The premier, Chris Minns, said they also include “order of occupancy” provisions, to stop someone trying to get existing venues shut down “because all of a sudden, they don’t like to have noise in the evening”.
“[This] is another step in removing the nanny state restrictions, the red tape that have really stifled the vibrancy, the life and the fun out of Sydney for the last 10 years,” he said on Thursday.
“We will no longer allow just a single noise complaint to close down live music venues right across NSW.
“It’s not just there for the enjoyment of people in the local community. It’s a magnet for those who live and work in Sydney and also for people who want to visit our great city.”
The proposed changes were welcomed by urban planning reform advocates.
A Committee for Sydney spokesperson, Matt Levinson, said the changes were “music to Sydney’s ears”.
“Outdated rules have held us back,” he said.
“This is a sensible set of changes that will help Sydney take its place as one of the world’s nightlife capitals.”
The executive director of Business Western Sydney, David Borger, said it was good that the government was turning “a deaf ear to single noise complaints”.
“It’s time to end the silence in western Sydney and bring back the beats,” he said.
Clubs NSW also welcomed the changes.
“The changes announced today will make a huge difference for clubs looking to diversify their offerings,” its chief executive, Rebecca Riant, said.
Under streamlined licensing laws, venues that host live music will also be allowed to trade two hours longer, as the government looks to save existing music and cultural venues and encourage new ones to open in order to “bring back vibrancy”.
The arts minister, John Graham, said more relaxed laws for outdoor dining and events would be welcomed by the public.
“We want to create a safe and diverse set of options for people when they go out, to go to a pub, to see a show, to get a late-night meal,” he said.
“We need to change the rules around outdoor and street activation so that music, culture and entertainment can spill outdoors.”
Proposed changes to several laws governing live music, liquor and planning will be put to parliament, and $58m has been budgeted in 2023/24 to implement the policies.
A bill will also be introduced to make the position of 24-Hour Economy Commissioner a statutory appointment, with an expanded remit beyond Sydney to include Newcastle, Wollongong and the Central Coast.
