Council votes to extend 24-hour trading across inner Sydney
A plan to extend 24-hour trading across inner Sydney has been unanimously endorsed by the City of Sydney, who are looking at ways to overturn perceptions there is nothing to do in Sydney once the sun goes down.
The 24-hour hubs will be created at Barangaroo, Green Square and Waterloo, while small bars and restaurants in inner city Surry Hills, Pyrmont and Redfern are set to have trading hours extended to 2am. The changes will remain subject to the NSW government’s lockout laws.
The City of Sydney approved the Draft Sydney Development Control Plan — Late Night Trading on Monday night, with businesses soon able to apply for new trading hours through a development application process.
“The city’s night-time economy is an integral part of its commercial, cultural and social fabric,” the proposal said.
“Late night trading premises are an important part of Sydney social and cultural life and plays an important role in contributing to the city’s economic growth and standing as a global city.”
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said it was time for Sydney to become a 24-hour city.
“We’ve now given businesses the opportunity to open around the clock,” she said.
“More than 10,000 people said they wanted a diverse and exciting night-time economy, not a city that is unsafe or that shuts down as soon as the sun goes down.
“The City of Sydney is doing its part. I hope these changes encourage the NSW Government to reconsider the lockout laws and help Sydney regain its status as one of the world’s premier late night destinations.”
Sheridan Randall, 16th May 2019
