Local government needs to be “at the table” when the NSW Government moves ahead with the next phase of its nightlife legislation.
The so-called “vibrancy reforms” – which commenced last year and are ongoing – have been developed to revive the state’s struggling late-night entertainment sector.
When discussing the details and implementation of the next raft of reforms – which were tabled in parliament this week – councils need to be involved “to ensure balance between enhancing the cultural and economic vibrancy of communities and protecting the safety and amenity of neighbourhoods”, said Local Government NSW.
In particular, concerns exist about the proposed removal in some locations of specific conditions of development consent.
“Often these conditions have been put in place for very particular and necessary reasons,” LGNSW president Darriea Turley said. “As always, without further details, it’s about recognising that one size doesn’t fit all.”
Turley said councils often work with local communities and business groups to determine place-based conditions of development consent “and we would be concerned if these reforms brought in a carte blanche approach to removing them”.
Acknowledging that there can be marked differences between regional and metropolitan areas – and between inner city and suburban neighbourhoods – Turley said: “LGNSW therefore in general supports flexible arrangements which allow councils to opt-in rather than blanket statewide provisions.”
Thanking Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham and his team for collaborating with local government on the vibrancy reforms to date, Turley said: “LGNSW considers the place-based approach adopted by the vibrancy reforms so far to be appropriate so that councils can work with businesses and their communities in developing a flexible and locally suited approach to support night-time economies.”
She added: “We look forward to continuing to work with the state government in a similarly collaborative and place-based manner.”
Also included in the NSW Government’s vibrancy reforms, a $1-million grant program to encourage councils to establish more special entertainment precincts, such as Enmore Road in Sydney’s inner west.
“This funding will help offset the significant costs of establishing these precincts,” Turley said. “The grant program is an initiative that LGNSW has been advocating for, particularly at a time when the financial sustainability of local councils is of a growing and ongoing concern.”
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