Sydney, 30 November 2023: Night time economy operators are set to enjoy an improved regulatory landscape following the passage of the 24-Hour Economy Legislation Amendment (Vibrancy Reforms) Bill 2023 through both houses of NSW Parliament.
Introduced to Parliament in late October, the Vibrancy Reforms Bill addresses an array of hurdles faced by industry while building upon the NSW Liquor Amendment (Night-time Economy) Act 2020. The reforms include:
- Establishing Liquor and Gaming NSW as the sole regulator of entertainment sound-related complaints for licensed premises, to streamline the complaints process from a current duplicative and multiple agency approach.
- Expanding the success of the Enmore Road Special Entertainment Precinct to other areas via a new framework for councils that makes it easier for them to deliver vibrant, safe going-out destinations supported by adequate and reliable transport and good lighting.
- Permanently replacing the rules for outdoor dining allowing venues to make the most of their outdoor space with a quicker, light-touch application process.
- Empowering the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner to develop a plan to make our State a better place to work for those who don’t work 9 to 5.
- Adopting a common-sense approach to risk in relation to liquor regulation, removing outdated rules, and beginning work to streamline planning and licensing processes. This includes improving the consultation process to make it easier for venues to open and diversify, and for communities to have their say, plus meaningful incentives for venues to feature live music and performances.
- Empowering the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner to deliver a sustainable, thriving night-time economy by making the role a statutory appointment.
Night Time Industries Association CEO Mick Gibb says the reforms mark a new chapter for the night time industries in NSW.
“Industry is delighted to see the willingness of the Government to tackle the regulatory red tape head on and the bi-partisan support to make a revitalised night time economy a reality.
“These reforms address many of the challenges that industry has been calling out for years. Scrapping duplicative licensing processes and repairing unbalanced sound and noise regulation is welcomed by industry.
“It’s not overstating it to call these reforms a game changer for nightlife in NSW. These are milestone reforms that finetune what we had already and fundamentally repair some of the broken aspects of regulation of the night.
“Making the Office of the 24 Hour Economy Commissioner a statutory appointment is just the kind of certainty industry and investors need to invest in the growth of the night time economy. By making it a statutory appointment industry can have greater confidence that lockout laws and draconian regulatory responses will be a thing of the past.
“When you give industries and investor markets certainty and remove the red tape handbrake you see investment and you see growth. This is exactly what is needed to see the 24 hour economy thrive in NSW.”
–ENDS–
