Review Seeks To Cut Unnecessary Red Tape For Cafés & Restaurants

Those running cafés or restaurants across NSW are set to find admin a little easier in the coming months, with the government looking to reduce the amount of red tape they have to deal with.

It’s all in an effort to ensure that the state’s more than 50,000 food retail operators can focus on cooking and customers, instead of government paperwork.

It comes as the NSW Productivity and Equality Commissioner prepares to undertake a review identifying unnecessary red tape faced by daytime business owners, such as licences and permits, as well as reporting, and inspections.

“Our job is to make government easier to deal with,” said treasurer Daniel Mookhey.

“This review will look for duplicated reporting, provide clear guidance, and limit unnecessary disruptions for small hospitality operators.”

Potential changes will be about cutting repetition, not cutting standards, safety or consumer protections, the government say. 

Minister for small business, Janelle Saffin, said the government was committed to making life easier for the food retail industry.

“We want our business owners focusing on their customers and their craft, not spending more time than they need to on paperwork,” she said.

“Our government is committed to working with the small business community to make their life a bit easier, and this review will help us understand how we can best achieve that.”

A final report and recommendations will be delivered to the government in August later this year.

Continued efforts to revitalise the state’s nightlife and entertainment sector

The Minns government say understanding and responding to extra red tape is a key priority in their support for NSW businesses.

The announcement comes following the launch of the state’s first Charter for Small Business, which saw the establishment of six principles underpinning government commitment to the sector, and the tackling of rising insurance premiums through workers compensation reforms.

In September, reforms under the new Cultural State Environmental Planning Policy made it easier for live music, comedy, and other events to be held in outdoor spaces, cutting the need for development applications.

The changes all build on the government’s “vibrancy agenda”, which have seen relaxed noise complaint rules, slashed licensing fees, and the launch of special entertainment precincts in an effort to repair the damage done to nightlife by the now abolished lockout laws and pandemic restrictions.