Sydney residents call for lively night life

Residents of Sydney are seeking better transport, later retail trade and more ‘quiet’ options for late night venues.

The requests were discussed at community consultations last week, as the City of Sydney Council prepares to draft a policy designed to improve Sydney’s night time economy in the next 20 years.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said that the Night Time City Policy would provide Sydney with a ‘thriving, safe, sophisticated and civilized’ night environment which would support the cities long-term economic and social benefits.

Late Night Economy Manager Suzie Matthews said transport was one of the biggest concerns raised during the forums.

“People want better transport in and out of the city, but across the city as well,” she said.

Ms Matthews said residents had called for 24 hour access to public transport, especially around the Kings Cross area.  People were also concerned about relying on taxis during the 3am changeover period.

“We will continue, as we have already, to ask for improvements to that,” Ms Matthews said.

“Part of this 20 year vision is that we can’t do it alone and we need to be able to work with the state government, the taxi industry, lots of industries to improve Sydney at the moment.”

Another point of discussion was making available more small scale options in the city, where people could meet without having to go to a nightclub or a bar.

Elizabeth Elenius, co-convener of Pyrmont Action Inc, said there were limited places around Sydney that offered quiet spaces in the evenings.

“What I’ve noticed is that there’s really nowhere open after a show, where you can go have a quiet drink and a meal,” she said.

“The only places that are open, you wouldn’t be able to hear yourself think if you went in them…there’s nothing that caters for the older demographic, it’s all for the young.”

A council survey found 74 per cent of Sydney’s night time population was between 15 and 30 years old.  20 per cent were in the 30 to 40 demographic.

Residents also proposed an increase in late night trading hours in the central retail hub of the city.  64 per cent of respondents to an online forum held by the council said they would like to see the shops open later. Ms Matthews said another option was to make late night trade available on Friday evenings as well as Thursday nights.

A draft discussion paper on the Night Time City Policy is expected to be completed in September, and will be on public exhibition in November.

By Lisa Brougham