New South Wales’ new Vibrancy Reforms are prompting clubs to consider an extension to trading hours, with many applying for later closing.
The Vibrancy Reforms are an initiative to improve the night-time economy through legislative and policy reforms, with the 24-Hour Economy Legislation Amendment (Vibrancy Reforms) Act 2024 being passed in October last year.
Since then, changes have been coming into effect, such as expanding eligibility for extending trading for special events, removing the mandatory 5km radius rule for club membership, and removing the ‘standard condition’ that patrons be seated when consuming liquor outdoors.
Now, clubs and other venues are turning to extend trading hours in their efforts to revive the sector.
Marrickville’s Greek Macedonian Club has applied to extend its hours to 2am, while Concord’s Croatian Club has applied to remain open until 3am.
The latest Night Time Economy Insights Report shows that while visitation trends in key inner Sydney locations have increased slightly, data reveals the increase comes from local patrons rather than a broader audience, highlighting a trend for patrons to stay closer to home.
Consequently, councils in Hornsby, Fairfield and Campsie have begun planning for their own late-night ‘special entertainment precincts’.
Clubs located in suburban areas who are looking to extend hours believe late-night trading should be accessible to those who do not want to travel to the CBD.
Yet the moves have received a mixed response. While clubs say the extended hours are driven by demand from their communities and are in line with the reforms, neighbours have raised concerns over noise, crime and antisocial behaviour.
In the case of the Croatian Club’s application, Michael Megna, Mayor of Canada Bay Council, said that due to the receipt of over two hundred submissions against the application, the council’s independent planning panel would need to determine the outcome.
In coming months further vibrancy reforms will be rolled out, such as a ‘one-stop-shop’ complaint portal; a reduction in constraints on music genres, the number of musicians and instruments and dancing; and fewer prohibitions on live entertainment at clubs.
