The NSW government has introduced new “vibrancy guidelines” that local councils must follow when reviewing trading hour applications for remote venues to prevent complaints from residents affecting local nightlife. This decision comes after the Northern Beaches Council rejected an application from The Joey, a waterside restaurant in Palm Beach, to trade after 4 pm due to concerns from residents about noise. Premier Chris Minns and Nighttime Economy Minister John Graham met with the restaurant’s co-owners to find a solution and ensure that such issues are addressed in a fair and balanced manner.
The new bill will require consent authorities, typically local councils, to consider guidelines established by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to ensure that decisions align with the state government’s vibrancy reforms. These guidelines will apply to applications seeking to change or extend trading hours for food and drink establishments beyond 7 pm, as long as the business is not within a residential zone or special entertainment precinct and is at least 500 meters away from the nearest home. Minister Graham emphasized that these changes are intended to bring balance to the assessment process and address concerns raised by both communities and businesses.
Minns also supported the reforms, stating that they would help strike a better balance between preserving local amenity and promoting the benefits that bars and restaurants bring to communities. By requiring councils to consider the vibrancy guidelines, decision-making processes will be more consistent and focused on supporting businesses while addressing residents’ concerns. This approach aims to encourage businesses to operate and provide more nighttime options for communities across NSW while ensuring that any potential impacts on local residents are properly assessed and mitigated.
The rejection of The Joey’s trading hour application had sparked widespread criticism and prompted the NSW government to take action to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. By implementing these new guidelines, the government aims to protect businesses from unwarranted complaints and provide a framework that guides councils in making informed decisions about trading hour applications. This will help create a more vibrant and sustainable nightlife scene in local communities while also respecting the needs and preferences of residents living nearby.
Overall, the introduction of these “vibrancy guidelines” represents a proactive approach by the NSW government to address issues related to trading hours for food and drink venues. By requiring councils to consider specific guidelines set by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, the decision-making process will be more transparent and consistent, ensuring that both businesses and residents are taken into account. This initiative is seen as a step towards fostering a more vibrant and diverse nighttime economy while also safeguarding the interests of local residents.
