Night-time activity is an important part of the economy for Sydney and many cities around the world. It also raises a different set of challenges to those that drive city planning during the day.
In response to these challenges, we have seen other global cities introduce unique strategies, including ‘Night Mayors’ in London and Amsterdam. The City of Sydney is following suit, with three planning reforms to strengthen cultural life and the night-time economy.
The planning reforms are outlined in the ‘Sydney Open and Creative’ discussion paper and cover three key areas:
1. A diverse economy: Making it easier for small businesses to trade later.
Under this reform, shops and local businesses in areas with an established retail character will be able to extend their trading hours from 7am to 10pm, 7 days a week, without new development consent. This will mean greater convenience and
2. More small-scale cultural uses: Encouraging small-scale cultural events and activities across the city.
The reforms will allow cultural activities with minimal impacts, such as a shop hosting an art exhibition or public talk, to take place outside of residential areas without development consent. Minimal impact is defined by a range of criteria, including duration, occurrence and number of attendees.
3. Fair management of entertainment noise: Applying the ‘agent of change’ principle to manage noise impacts.
Under this system, a new residential development would be responsible for managing the noise impacts from an existing music venue. Similarly, new entertainment venues would be required to ensure existing residential properties are not impacted from noise.
The reforms include eight actions that provide the mechanics of the changes. If adopted, the planning controls will be submitted to the Greater Sydney Commission for its consideration in late 2018.
Lucy’s article was originally published on LinkedIn.