Decision details

Moved by Councillor Arkins, seconded by Councillor Kok –

It is resolved that:

(A)       Council note:

(i)         the City of Sydney is progressing plans to introduce Special Entertainment Precincts to support live music, performance, streamlined approvals, and a stronger night time economy;

(ii)        the proposed Special Entertainment Precinct in King Street, Newtown spans both the City of Sydney and Inner West Council local government areas;

(iii)       residents, businesses and visitors experience King Street as one continuous precinct and do not distinguish between local government boundaries;

(iv)       a consistent policy approach between the City of Sydney and Inner West Council will provide clarity and certainty for local residents and businesses;

(v)        alignment between both councils will strengthen the delivery of the precinct, improve outcomes for live performance, and support shared objectives for a safe, inclusive, and sustainable night time economy;

(vi)       City staff have been investigating upgrading the late-night trading tier of King Street, Newtown alongside the introduction of Special Entertainment Precincts;

(vii)      the City’s late night trading and Special Entertainment Precinct model, which includes a long standing tiered approach to areas and venues, incentives for live music and trial periods, differs from that of Inner West Council;

(viii)    Inner West Council recently passed an equivalent motion moved by Deputy Mayor Chloe Smith expressing support for this coordinated approach to implementation of the Precinct; and

(ix)       a unique approach for King Street is worth investigating given it is the boundary between the two council areas and the shared objectives to support late night trading and entertainment along the street;

(B)       the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)         work collaboratively with the Inner West Council staff on a generally aligned approach to trading hours and sound levels for the King Street, Newtown Special Entertainment Precinct;

(ii)        continue to incentivise live music and performance, good business operations and a diversity of venues;

(iii)       coordinate joint community and stakeholder engagement processes with Inner West Council to ensure consistent messaging and a shared understanding of the precinct objectives; and

(iv)       ensure that public consultation on the Special Entertainment Precinct in Newtown is conducted concurrently with Inner West Council’s process wherever practicable; and

(C)       the Lord Mayor be requested to write to Mayor Darcy Byrne of Inner West Council noting the City of Sydney’s commitment to a coordinated and smooth rollout of the King Street, Newtown Special Entertainment Precinct and requesting both Councils work collaboratively together in the interest of our communities and local businesses.

Carried unanimously, as part of an in globo motion.

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