Community festivals, street fairs and similar events are to be allowed without development applications on all public land in NSW as part of a suite of state government-announced planning changes.
The state government says its new Cultural State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) is in response to a recent state Productivity Commissioner’s report showing a reduction in red tape could trigger another $8 billion dollars into the NSW night-time economy.
The policy effectively removes the need for hospitality venue operators to have local government approval for hosting live shows and increasing patronage.
It’s part of updates to the Codes SEPP 2008, which the government says are aimed at ‘supporting creative, cultural and hospitality opportunities across NSW, and drive a thriving, inclusive 24-hour economy’.
Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham says the policy introduction builds on ‘two years’ worth of reforms aimed at bringing Sydney back to life’.
Shops and cafes allowed to stay open later during ‘special events’
Returning to festivals and fairs, the government’s announcement, issued Sunday, says the policy will remove ‘outdated and lengthy planning pathways for simple and fun events’, by reducing the amount of time it takes to have them approved by the local council or state agency.
‘These events will make it simpler and more affordable for communities across the state to activate local spaces, like town squares, streets and parks,’ the joint statement from the state’s planning minister and music and night-time economy minister reads.
While councils are to be mostly disempowered in the approval process for community festivals and street fairs, they are to be allowed to declare special trading hours for existing unlicenced local business during the events.
‘This will support both local business and tourism in maximising the benefit of the extra foot traffic generated during special events,’ the statement reads.
No DA required for live gigs and more outdoor dining
Live music, comedy, theatre, book readings, and other performances are to be allowed indoors and outdoors without a DA as long as they comply with ‘simple rules such as beginning after midday’, the announcement continues.
Venues and registered clubs with outdoor dining space are to be allowed to increase patron numbers by up to 30 per cent without a development application.
Farmgate operators like cellar doors and farm cafes and restaurants are to be allowed to host outdoor dining without a development application.
Minister promises reawakening post-lock out laws
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully is quoted in the announcement describing the planning changes as ‘simple’.
He says they will ‘re-awaken NSW’s events, entertainment and hospitality sectors’.
The industry has been ‘suffering under excessive regulations since the introduction of lock out laws in 2014,’ Minister Scully says.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
