More Vibrancy Reforms
Published on 18 November 2024
The NSW Government’s vision for the state’s 24-hour economy is to cement NSW as a world class nightlife destination for visitors, locals and workers alike.
What are Vibrancy Reforms?
The Vibrancy Reforms are a cross-government initiative developed in consultation with key government agencies, industry, councils and stakeholders to improve the night-time economy through both legislative and policy reforms.
The legislative reforms were made through the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Act 2023 and the 24-Hour Economy Legislation Amendment (Vibrancy Reforms) Act 2023.
In October 2024, the NSW Parliament passed the 24-Hour Economy Legislation Amendment (Vibrancy Reforms) Act 2024, and these newest changes will take effect in the coming months as outlined on this page.
When will the Vibrancy Reforms commence?
November/December 2024
- Expanding eligibility for Special Event Extended Trading to on-premises and producer/wholesaler licences
- Removing the rule requiring local residents living within a radius of 5km of a registered club to become a member to attend the club
- No longer placing as a ‘standard condition’ on temporary outdoor dining approvals for licensed premises that require patrons to only consume liquor when seated
- Ensuring that a Special Entertainment Precinct can be established on state-owned land such as White Bay or Walsh Bay precincts
- Overriding conditions of development consent that prohibit live entertainment in a Special Entertainment Precinct
- Requiring that councils notify neighbouring residents and businesses of a Special Entertainment Precinct by a notice published on its website and a notation on planning certificates
- SEP Support Hub for councils launched online, with Guidelines, an Acoustic Toolkit, Handbook and templates
- Streamlined pathway for declaring a major event so recurring events of state significance can be more easily supported
- Cultural State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) Explanation of Intended Effect on public exhibition
- Consultation on the mutual recognition of mobile outdoor businesses across local government areas
- Entertainment sound guidelines published on system design and acoustic sound management for venues and councils.
Q1 2025
- Development of regulations and guidance material for mutual recognition of mobile outdoor businesses across local government areas.
Q2 2025
- Switching off’ conditions of development consent or plans of management at all licensed premises that prohibit particular music genres, the number or types of instruments, the number of musicians, the playing of original music, whether dancing occurs, the presence of a dancefloor, the direction a stage faces or use of decorations (e.g. mirror balls)
- ‘Switching off’ conditions of development consent or plans of management that prohibit ‘live entertainment’ at hotels, clubs and small bars (only)
- Referral pathway to mediation for significant live music or performance venues involved in a dispute
- Changes to enable automatic notation on planning certificates about whether a property is in a Special Entertainment Precinct.
Later in 2025
- One-stop-shop sound complaint portal.
Find out more