Four new Special Entertainment Precincts for the Inner West

Tuesday 12 March 2024

Media release
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne

Following the outstanding success of Sydney’s first Special Entertainment Precinct at Enmore Road, Inner West Council is proposing four more precincts in Darling Street Balmain/Rozelle, Marrickville Road Marrickville, Marrickville Road Dulwich Hill and Norton Street Leichhardt.

Over the past two years, the trial of the Enmore Road Precinct has helped to improve the vibrancy of the area and created a real incentive for local businesses to host live music and artistic events.

Community consultation on the new precincts has now commenced with venues, businesses, artists and community members able to have their say on bringing a Special Entertainment precinct to their main street.

The Inner West has the largest creative arts community in NSW as well as some of the best entertainment venues, bars, breweries, restaurants and pubs in Sydney.

These new Special Entertainment Precincts are designed to create more opportunities for performing artists as well as boosting local businesses and adding to the vibrancy and nightlife of the neighbourhood.   

The provisions of the Special Entertainment Precinct include:

• An additional hour of trading for hospitality venues that host live entertainment
• The ability for all main street businesses to host small-scale artistic and cultural events without the need for a development application
• Approval for later outdoor dining until 11:00pm
• A reduction in the number of government agencies policing Inner West complaints to just one agency

“The Inner West is the beating heart of Sydney’s live music scene and we want to spread the success of what we’ve done in Enmore throughout the Inner West,” Mayor Darcy Byrne said,

“Later trading as a reward for hosting gigs is a real incentive for bars, restaurants and pubs and adds to the vibrancy of the local community.

“Allowing all main street shops to host live music and performances without the need for a development application is an important element of the special entertainment precincts which we want to promote.

“Legalising performances in bookshops, cafes, and restaurants could increase the availability of affordable spaces for young and emerging artists to perform and develop their craft as well as attracting customers to those businesses. It’s a win for artists, local businesses and the community.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact Jonny Browne, Jonny.Browne@innerwest.nsw.gov.au