Special Entertainment Precinct Pilot kicks off on Enmore Road

Monday 5 September 2022

Inner West Council’s iconic Enmore Road is set to thrive for the next three months with the launch of the Special Entertainment Precinct Pilot from 1 September – 30 November 2022, in partnership with the NSW Government.

Inner West Council last year voted to endorse a proposal from Mayor Darcy Byrne to make Enmore Road the first Special Entertainment Precinct in NSW, making use of legislative provision that had passed the NSW Parliament.

The pilot, the first step in making the Special Entertainment Precinct permanent, aims to revive live music and entertainment, activate local businesses and the night time economy; and create more places for our community to enjoy.  

Venues within the precinct are encouraged to provide live entertainment and will have an extension on both their trading hours and outdoor dining as an incentive to prioritise arts and culture over pokies.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said, “creating a special entertainment precinct along Enmore Road is an acknowledgement of its status as one of Australia’s premier entertainment and hospitality destinations - a status that needs to be permanent, protected and built upon.”

“Giving businesses a real incentive to host gigs, through extended trading hours, is something we’ve been advocating for years so it’s exciting that the pilot is now underway.

“The pilot also allows any main street property owner to host gigs in their premises without any application process. We want to see an increasing amount of live performance, rehearsal and exhibition taking place in bookshops, laundromats, and cafes on Enmore Road over the next 3 months” Mayor Darcy Byrne said.

Inner West Councillor Chloe Smith added, "locals know Enmore Road has long been a hidden gem, and the secret to its success has been the pairing of world-class music and entertainment with great local hospitality venues. Both have done it tough over the last few years and need our support. This pilot will put rock and roll ahead of red tape and help drive foot traffic back to the high street. For the Inner West, it's an absolute no-brainer. It's an exciting time to be an Enmore resident or business owner!"

The pilot has come at the right time for local business owners, musicians and entertainers alike. President of the Newtown-Enmore Precinct Business Community, Michael Aiken Texilake said, "This pilot is going to give our local artists and small businesses the support they really need after two very difficult years. It's fantastic that we have this opportunity to invest in our community, keep our local businesses here, and expand on area's diverse contribution to cultural offerings in Sydney.

“This pilot not only offers more support for bricks and mortar venues, but it also effectively recognises that a large number of local businesses are driven and operated by and as performing artists whose contributions to our economy are held back by outdated practices," Mr Aiken Texilake said.  

John Wardle from the Live Music Office said “designating Enmore Road as one of the first Special Entertainment Precincts under the new laws for NSW is big news for the music and hospitality industries alongside the visitor economy. Establishing a Special Entertainment Precinct in Enmore Road demonstrates a clear commitment from the Inner West Council to supporting their night time industries and promoting their Local Government Area as a leading destination for the domestic and international visitor economy.”

Pictured L-R: Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne, Councillor Philippa Scott, Councillor Chloe Smith and John Wardle from Live Music Office celebrating the start of the Pilot over drinks at the Secret Garden Bar in Enmore.

During the pilot, businesses in the dedicated zone will be able to:

• Host live music or entertainment without having to seek amendment to their consent;
• Licenced venues can serve drinks for an additional 30 minutes; and
• Businesses that have an outdoor dining permit, can expand dining trading time to 11pm. 

The pilot will allow Council to trial a Noise Management Plan for licenced venues that have amplified music and for Council, venues and the community to understand the practical aspects of noise management in the precinct. During the pilot, noise complaints within the precinct area will be managed solely by Inner West Council, instead of government agencies and if required, will utilise Inner West Council’s Good Neighbour Policy that brings complainants and venue operators together to mitigate, not litigate noise complaints.  

Inner West Council hopes the trial is a success so that we can continue to work with the NSW Government to make Enmore Road a permanent entertainment precinct that supports local artists and businesses.

Find out more at yoursay.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/sep-enmore

For media enquiries, please contact Jessica Ilacqua – Jessica.Ilacqua@innerwest.nsw.gov.au