‘Off to bed early, Sydney’ says Clover

MP and Lord Mayor Clover Moore has demanded the State Government eliminate late-night trading precincts from Sydney.

In June this year Ms Moore said in Parliament extending a freeze on venue expansion in entertainment precincts “recognises that late-night trading in the inner-city has reached an unsustainable level.”

“Yet the Liquor Act 2007 still identifies the central business district, The Rocks, Kings Cross and Oxford Street as extended trading precincts.”

“In the light of shocking evidence, we should not consider extended trading in these areas beyond the hours considered for other areas.

“I will move an amendment… to remove reference in the Act to these areas as extended trading areas.”

At Council level Ms Moore, unanimously supported by all councillors, is waging a bitter war against night life, or at least that part of it which caters to suburban people coming into the city.

Apart from the routine rejections of Applications by venues to continue existing late-trading hours, Council’s new rules vastly increase the complexity and cost of such applications and impose a new layer of “Reviewable Conditions” that can be withdrawn at any time with 14 days’ notice.

Council’s Compliance Rangers are now tasked to act against any venue from which entertainment can be heard from the footpath outside. “RSA Marshalls” employed by the venues, must patrol bars making subjective decisions on who is too drunk to be served. Ratepayers foot the bill for weekend closures of Cowper Wharf Road in Woolloomooloo to provide some respite for a few who live in Macleay Street, forcing the traffic through other residential areas.

Yet Council rejects this view of its nightlife policies, citing its small bar policies.

“The City is committed to creating an exciting and dynamic night time economy, but this must be balanced with public safety,” said a spokesperson.

“Small bars are a key component of the City’s efforts to revitalise Sydney and bring life and variety back to our laneways and small streets. Sydney is a sophisticated city, and it needs venues that have style and individuality.

“Since the introduction of new small bar legislation and the City’s Late Night Development Control plan, more than 30 small bars have opened across Central Sydney and inner city suburbs.

“The City has a dedicated small bars officer who works with people interested in opening bars and we regularly hold small bar seminars.”

by Michael Gormly