The Minns Labor Government is removing more red tape in commonsense planning changes which will deliver more outdoor dining, rooftop bars and entertainment right across NSW.
The latest changes will see clubs on Crown Land across NSW from your local Bowlo, RSL, Surf Club, Golf Club and more able to make the most of their outdoor space with outdoor dining declared exempt development.
This means hundreds of registered clubs on Crown land across the state will no longer have to spend time applying for development approval, bringing them into line with other businesses which have already benefitted from planning law changes to allow more outdoor dining.
Clubs will still be required to meet development standards to manage patron safety, amenity, access and parking for people with a disability.
In addition, the Minns Labor Government is moving to increase the range of activities available to operators in Special Entertainment Precincts including rooftop bars and dining and utilising town halls, car parks and commercial buildings for entertainment.
NSW currently has nine Special Entertainment Precincts, up from one when the Minns Government took office in 2023, and there are currently 24 councils considering establishing new precincts. The proposed enhancements to these precincts will be on public exhibition next month and will include the follow proposals:
- Turning up the volume in community facilities like town halls by enabling them to host pop up events without a development application.
- Expanding rooftop dining and entertainment options.
- Making it easier to convert empty shops and offices into licensed small entertainment venues like small wine bars and restaurants.
- Activating commercial buildings and car parks for temporary uses like live music or community events.
This is another example of the Minns Labor Government delivering better more vibrant communities where people can live, work and play.
For more information about the outdoor dining changes, visit NSW Planning.
Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said:
"As we rebuild the night-time economy we're seeing a wave of special entertainment precincts being established across NSW. This proposal will allow those communities to make those precincts even more exciting for patrons and venue operators.
"After ending the lockout era, and cutting huge amounts of red tape for venue operators, we're now going a step further by unlocking vibrancy for our clubs on crown land, and super charging our Special Entertainment Precincts.
"NSW has some of the best locations in the world, but too many of them have been tied up in red tape. These changes will allow us to maximise our potential by allowing venue and event operators to harness outdoor spaces like rooftops, car parks and town halls."
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
"The Minns Labor Government is cutting red tape which will enable more outdoor dining, rooftop bars and entertainment right across the state.
"From today we've made it easier for hundreds of clubs right across the state to host outdoor dining, so people have more places where they can gather, relax and celebrate.
"This will help businesses expand their offering and support jobs growth."
Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:
"The Minns Labor Government is delivering real, practical reform for clubs, communities and local economies right across the state.
"By cutting red tape on outdoor dining across hundreds of clubs on Crown Land, we're making it easier for these iconic venues to create jobs, boost local spending and deliver great experiences for visitors and locals alike."
