The NSW government has passed reforms requiring local councils to consider new “vibrancy guidelines” when assessing trading hour applications by remote venues. This move aims to prevent residents from derailing local nightlife with complaints. The reforms were prompted by the rejection of an application by The Joey, a waterside restaurant in Palm Beach, due to noise concerns from nearby residents. Premier Chris Minns expressed concern over this decision and met with the restaurant’s owners to find a solution.
The reforms will require consent authorities, typically local councils, to consider guidelines set by the Department of Planning to ensure decisions align with the state government’s vibrancy reforms. These guidelines will apply to new applications for extended trading hours for food and drink venues beyond 7pm, specifically for businesses located outside residential zones or special entertainment precincts and at least 500 metres from the nearest home. Nighttime Economy Minister John Graham sees this as a “common sense” approach to balancing community concerns with the need to support businesses.
Minns believes that this change will strike a better balance between addressing concerns over local amenity and supporting the benefits that bars and restaurants bring to the community. By forcing local councils to consider state government guidelines, the reforms aim to encourage more businesses to trade and provide communities across NSW with additional options after dark. The government hopes that this will signal to local authorities the importance of finding the right balance between community concerns and economic development.
The rejection of The Joey’s trading hour application sparked widespread criticism and prompted the government to take action. Premier Minns and Minister Graham meeting with the restaurant’s owners exemplify their commitment to addressing issues that affect local businesses. By implementing these new guidelines, the government is seeking to prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure that businesses have fair opportunities to operate within the community. This move is seen as a positive step towards creating a more vibrant nightlife scene in NSW.
The reforms come as a response to concerns raised by the rejection of trading hour applications for remote venues and aim to prevent similar issues in the future. By requiring local councils to follow new “vibrancy guidelines” set by the state government, the reforms seek to create a more balanced approach to assessing trading hour applications. This change reflects the government’s commitment to supporting local businesses and promoting a thriving nighttime economy in NSW. By addressing complaints from residents while also encouraging economic growth, the reforms aim to benefit both communities and businesses across the state.
