Sydneysiders, we’ve heard you. After more than 10,000 people told us they want businesses, shops and restaurants across town to be allowed to stay open later, we’re changing the rules to make it happen.
From next month, businesses in the city centre can apply to trade up to 24 hours a day. This will give Sydney’s night-time economy, which already employs more than 35,000 people and is worth more than $4 billion each year, a major boost.
Shops on high streets like Crown Street, Union Street and Glebe Point Road will be able to apply to trade until 2am. This will give people more late-night options in their own neighbourhoods, support shift workers and make our streets safer by bringing people of all ages into the area.
We’re also creating new late-night trading areas in some of the city’s fastest-growing neighbourhoods, like the Green Square town centre and Barangaroo. This will give residents in these booming areas more places to shop, eat and do business after they finish work.
Live music and performance will also get a boost, with a new 24-hour arts and cultural precinct in north Alexandria, and extra trading hours for venues that hold performances.
The changes will help create more diverse night-time options for the 1.6 million people that live, work, visit and do business in Sydney every day. We hope they’ll set the foundations for Sydney to become one of the world’s best 24-hour cities.
Businesses will need to apply for the new hours through a development application. This includes demonstrating good management and showing how they’ll manage any impacts on their neighbours.
Changes will also be subject to the NSW Government’s lockout laws, where they apply.
Published 14 May 2019
