Special Entertainment Precincts (SEPs)

There are two Special Entertainment Precincts in Fairfield City Council. One in Canley Heights and one in Canley Vale. See the maps below to identify if your business falls within the SEP boundaries.

What is a SEP? 

Under the Local Government Act a SEP is an area which:

     (a)  sound from entertainment activity from premises in the area is regulated in accordance with a precinct management plan, and

     (b)  requirements about sound attenuation included in a precinct management plan apply to certain types of development in the area, and

     (c)  dedicated live music and performance venues are authorised to trade for an additional 60 minutes under the Liquor Act 2007, section 12A(4).

Why is Council implementing Special Entertainment Precincts?

Council is implementing Special Entertainment Precincts in Canley Heights and Canley Vale to support a safe, vibrant, and diverse night-time economy. The SEPs aim to:

• Encourage live music, performance, and cultural activity.
• Provide certainty for businesses, residents, and visitors about how entertainment sound is managed.
• Strengthen the local visitor economy by extending trading hours for compliant venues.
• Create local jobs and support local small businesses.  

What are the benefits for your business?

SEP TRADING HOURS

Businesses within the SEPs may access trading hours identified below without further approval from Council.

Program incentive hours: Would be ‘as of right’ with no need for a development application (DA). Allowable on all nights of the week only where the premises:

• Has a schedule program of entertainment activity for live or recorded music and other performances and activities 
• The entertainment is of at least 45 minutes after 8pm, and
• On at least 2 nights in any 7-day period.  

Dedicated venue hours: Would be ‘as of right’ with no need for a development application. An additional 2 hours from the ‘base hours’ only available on the night of an entertainment activity for live or recorded music and other performances and activities is held at a licensed venue that is:

• At least 45 minutes long after 8pm, 
• On at least 2 nights in any 7-day period, and 
• the venue is a dedicated live music and performance venue published on the Liquor & Gaming website: Eligible live entertainment venues - Liquor & Gaming NSW. 

All premises must keep a record of the schedule program of the entertainment for compliance purposes.  

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.

OUTDOOR DINING

Businesses with existing outdoor dining approvals can trade until 11pm in Special Entertainment Precincts without any amendments to their existing outdoor dining licence. 

Businesses who are interested in providing outdoor dining, who do not have an existing outdoor dining licence, will need to apply to Council to obtain a licence/permit for outdoor dining in accordance with Council’s Outdoor Dining Policy. 

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.

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. Simple measures such as closing windows and doors, being aware of when entertainment will cease, or lowering the volume can often resolve issues before they escalate. 

Want to know more?  See the Frequently Asked Questions below for more information or reach out to us at growingbusiness@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au. 

Find out more about SEPs

SEPs help councils boost and activate their night-time economy.

The Canleys - SEPs

Canley Vale Road is a must-visit for food, culture, and unforgetable experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Commonly asked questions about SEPs and how they work.