Council asks government to speed up ‘exempt developments’.

Tuesday 30 March 2021

In October 2020, Council adopted a policy to allow small scale artistic and cultural events to take place in industrial zones and main street premises throughout the Inner West.

These live performances and exhibitions would be able to take place as ‘exempt developments’ with audiences of up to 150 people in industrial premises and 80 in properties in and around main streets.

Under this policy, there would no need for a development application, making thousands of new spaces available at low cost for artists to perform, practice and exhibit their work.

Musicians, actors, and visual artists could all make use of shopfronts, warehouses, and office spaces, which are currently sitting dormant and unused after dark.

The policy will counteract the shrinking number of live music venues and artistic spaces throughout Sydney.

Council submitted the finalised policy to the NSW Government, and is now waiting for them to gazette the policy so that these new rules.

Council has written to the Planning Minister requesting the urgent approval of this planning proposal so it can be rolled out in 2021.