Locals turn out in force to fight DCP

A packed Town Hall watched as Council unanimously passed changes to the City’s Development Control Plan for late night trading at Monday’s committee meeting.

Local business owners and residents turned out in force to voice their objections to the changes, which they claimed would “close down the city”.

Member of the City Liquor Accord John Francis said Council had already been proven wrong on previous occasions and the changes placed businesses in danger.

“If you get it wrong you are sending people into bankruptcy,” he said.

The DCP draft amendment changes will: “introduce reviewable conditions for hours of operations and number of persons permitted in a premise” and extended’ hours of trading will be subject to a trial period condition and/or reviewable condition.

Liberal councillor Shane Mallard said council was “intent on pacifying the night life in the city”.

He said Council was seeking to take responsibility from the state gaming and liquor authority though the “thousand cuts of renewable and reviewable trial conditions” they would inflict on business owners lodging applications.

“This is about the Lord Mayor becoming the Premier and Council becoming State Government,” he said.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore hit back at the criticisms stating the campaign against the changes were fuelled by “lies and disinformation”.

She said her Council had done more than any other to promote a ‘vibrant’ night life and suggestions she wanted to close down the city at midnight were false.

“Extended hours are a privilege, not a right,” she said.

“We’re working to create a safe, diverse night time economy where people feel safe to go out at night.”

An audience member responded to her claims that Council was stopping Sydney from becoming ‘swill city’ by shouting “thanks mum”.

An owner of licensed premises, who requested his name be withheld, said the possibility of repeated trials under the modifications would create commercial uncertainty for business owners.

He said the DCP would discourage owners from improving their properties as to do so would open them up to a trial period.

Chairman of the Potts Point Partnership and Liberal candidate for the seat of Sydney in the upcoming State election, Adrian Bartels, said the council was not acting in “good faith” given their previous campaigns against night life in the city.

“Council talks about the need for venues to be well managed,” he said.

“I think to Council a well-managed venue is one that is closed.”

By Sophie Cousins and Simon Black