King Street plan would allow some venues to trade until 4am
King Street in Newtown could get later trading hours, with some businesses able to stay open until 4am under a proposal backed by the City of Sydney and Inner West Council.
The plan would make King Street a special entertainment precinct and align trading rules across the two council areas that cover the strip. Following endorsement from both councils, the proposal will go to the NSW Government for gateway determination before opening for community feedback.
Under the proposal, businesses at the north and south ends of King Street could trade without a development application until 4am for unlicensed shops and businesses, until 2am for small bars, restaurants and takeaways, and until midnight or 2am with live music for larger venues.
Trading hours on the strip
In the centre of King Street, unlicensed shops and businesses could also trade until 4am without a development application. Small bars and restaurants could trade until 2am, or 4am with live music, while larger venues could trade until midnight or 2am with live music. Businesses in that section could trade up to 24 hours with a development application.
Businesses across King Street would also be able to open from 6am without a development application. Outdoor dining hours would be extended to midnight on Friday and Saturday, and 11pm from Sunday to Thursday.
The City of Sydney proposal also covers sites on surrounding streets including 1-5 Wilson Street, 2-8 O’Connell Street, the corner of Wilson Street and Erskineville Road, 1C Whateley Street and 189 – 199 Missenden Road.
Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore AO said, “King Street is already an incredibly popular late-night destination. These changes will help support businesses trading on the strip and unlock the full potential of this fabulous area.”
Moore said the councils wanted a consistent approach because different parts of King Street sit in different council areas. Last year, both councils resolved to work together on trading hour and sound rules, and the proposal follows Sydney’s first special entertainment precinct on Enmore Road.
Inner West Deputy Mayor Chloe Smith said later trading tied to live music would reward venues hosting gigs. She said, “Later trading as a reward for hosting gigs is a real incentive for bars, restaurants and pubs and will add to the vibrancy of King Street.”
Special entertainment precinct status in existing late-night trading areas would also unlock NSW Government incentives including liquor licence fee discounts and more licensing hours for venues that put on live music and performance.
