Special Entertainment Precincts

There are seven Special Entertainment Precincts (SEP) across the Inner West in Balmain, Dulwich Hill, Enmore Road, Leichhardt, Rozelle, and two in Marrickville.

This page outlines a brief history of Inner West’s SEPs as well as the benefits and responsibilities of operating a business and building apartments and other sensitive developments within a SEP.

A Brief History

Established in 2023, Enmore Road was the first SEP in NSW, a recognition of the iconic strip and Enmore Theatre as one of Australia's premier destinations for entertainment, nightlife and live music. Following its success, in 2025 Inner West Council established six more precincts in areas with thriving and emerging night life that will be supported by increased trading hours, a sensible approach to sound management and removal of barriers to provide live entertainment.

Community consultation took place in early 2024 and again in 2025. The community indicated a high level of support, up to 95% for some of the SEPs.

SEP Trading Hours

Businesses within SEPs may access the trading hours identified in the maps below without further approval from Council. Trading restrictions are detailed in the text below the maps.

The following business are excluded from accessing the SEP trading hours:

Restricted premises (as defined in the IWLEP 2022),
Sex services premises (as defined in the IWLEP 2022),
Premises hosting adult entertainment (e.g. strip clubs), and
Premises hosting any kind of activity alike those described above.

Outdoor SEP trading hours apply to footpath trading areas, as well as areas on private land including, but not limited to courtyards, balconies, colonnades, rooftops and beer gardens.

Businesses with existing approvals to trade later than the SEP trading hours may continue to do so. Businesses may apply to Council for extended hours through a development application.

Liquor Licence Trading Hours

Liquor licence trading hours still apply to a licensed premises located in a SEP. However, licensed premises that hold live music performances or other arts and cultural events, can access extra trading hours if they meet certain eligibility requirements. Eligible venues can also access other incentives such as reduced licensing fees.

For more information about the incentives, eligibility requirements and the application process, visit the Liquor & Gaming NSW website.

If your venue does not provide live entertainment but you wish to change your liquor trading hours you can apply to extend your trading hours. Information about how to customise your liquor licence can be found here.

Entertainment Sound Limits

Businesses operating within a SEP are responsible for ensuring they operate within the entertainment sound criteria detail in Section 9 of the Special Entertainment Precinct Management Plan.

The following applies to businesses within SEPs:

Sound coming from your premises must not exceed the limits set out in Section 9 of the Special Entertainment Precinct Management Plan. These limits are measured at the boundary of nearby sensitive receivers (typically residential dwellings).

When approached by a nearby resident or business with an issue regarding the operation of your business, please work with them to find a solution to the problem before relying on compliance with the entertainment sound criteria.

Residents having issues with sound coming from a venue must first approach the venue directly before contacting Council or Liquor and Gaming to make a formal complaint. Experience shows that simple measures such as closing windows and doors, being aware of when entertainment will cease, or lowering the volume can resolve issues before they escalate. If the matter cannot be resolved, please contact Council through our online self-service portal.

Information for Developers and Home Builders

New residential and other sensitive developments in and around a SEP must adequately sound-proof against entertainment sound for the comfort of future occupants.

Relevant sections of the Marrickville and Leichhardt DCPs contains objectives and controls that will need to be met for all development applications within and around SEPs.