In case you missed it, Sydney’s night time offering is upping its game. Recent vibrancy reforms have been transforming the city’s after-dark set-up step by step – with the (very outdated) standing while drinking rule scrapped, the sign-up rule at clubs and RSLs removed, and new rules introduced for tenants moving into special entertainment precincts (making late-night fun a lot more achievable in dedicated corners of the city, including two iconic beachside suburbs). This week, the NSW Government has announced the latest addition to its vibrancy agenda: a new “Cultural State Environmental Planning Policy” (Cultural SEPP) that will make it easier for councils and communities to stage events in outdoor spaces, increase capacity at outdoor venues and so much more.
The new Cultural SEPP will cut red tape around open-air events, and reduce the amount of time it takes for outdoor events to go from idea to reality. The initiative isn’t just about loosening the rules – it’s about filling the city with life, boosting the number of public events popping up around the city and beyond. The change in policy will make it easier than ever for live entertainment to spill out onto streets, parks, and beaches, allowing Sydney to keep sizzling well past sundown. From impromptu jazz gigs in your local park to pop-up theatre and book readings in a sun-soaked public plaza, creatives now have the green light to share their craft without getting tangled in council paperwork.
Outdoor dining fans are also in for a treat. Venues and registered clubs can now bump up their patron capacity by up to 30 per cent in their alfresco areas without lodging a development application – a small change that makes a huge difference when it comes to catching the after-work crowd or weekend wanderers (this comes following the decision to scrap fees on outdoor dining set-ups across the city). Expanding policy updates beyond the city, the state's "farmgate" cafés and cellar doors can now go all out with their outdoor offerings without lodging a development application, giving regional food tourism a juicy boost.
Small businesses across NSW will be major beneficiaries, but communities will feel the love too. Street fairs, local festivals, and neighbourhood events can now pop up on public land without the cost and headache of a full-blown development application. Plus, councils can extend trading hours for big events, letting cafés, shops, and pop-ups ride the wave of extra foot traffic. Translation? More places to eat, drink, dance, and generally celebrate life without waiting weeks for approval.
As Minister John Graham puts it, Sydney has been waiting for this moment: “Red tape has stopped venues from properly using their outdoor space. That is now changing.” And with support from local MPs like Jo Haylen, and endorsements from Aussie music heroes like Lime Cordiale and Jack River, this one seems like more than just a policy change, but a cultural reboot for NSW.
Intrigued? You can learn more over here.
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