SEP’s are a new type of designated area introduced by the NSW Labor government. They empower councils to set increased trading hours, city-wide sound conditions and live performance incentives to support creative workers and deliver vibrant going-out precincts.‍

SEP’s were a policy Labor took to the 2024 Council Elections and were endorsed by Council in March 2026 after detailed planning work.

This is the only opportunity the community has to provide feedback on the proposed Special Entertainment Precincts.

Consultation is open from 15 October 2026 - 26 November 2026.

If you support these plans we need your help. Make a email submission above, or if you'd like to complete a full submission not as an email you can do so here.

The City of Sydney is proposing more than 20 Special Entertainment Precincts including: 

• Sydney CBD 

• Walsh Bay and The Rocks 

• Barangaroo and Darling Harbour, Sydney 

• Haymarket 

• Harris Street including the Powerhouse Museum, Ultimo 

• Union Street / Blackwattle Bay, Pyrmont 

• Broadway and Chippendale  

• Chalmers Street, Devonshire Street and Foveaux Street, Strawberry Hills 

• Elizabeth Street and Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills 

• The Hollywood Quarter, Surry Hills 

• Crown Street, Surry Hills 

• Oxford Street and Taylor Square, Darlinghurst / Paddington 

• Stanley and William Street, Darlinghurst 

• Kings Cross and Potts Point  

• Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo 

• Redfern Street, Regent Street and Botany Road, Redfern / Waterloo 

• South Eveleigh 

• Danks Street, Waterloo 

• East Village and Green Square 

• McEvoy Street, Alexandria 

• Glebe Point Road

• Erskineville Road

King Street, Newtown will be done in early 20207 in conjunction with the inner west council.

You can check out the specifics with this interactive map.

The City of Sydney Council has extensive information available on their website and the proposal. They are also running a in-person businesses information session. With information available here.

Alternatively use this survey to find information specific to your business.

You can read the entire proposal by the City of Sydney here:
LINK

You can also read more about it here:
Urban List: “More Late Nights, Live Music, And Fun To Come…”

Or read about the success of Inner West’s Council in Enmore Rd:
Sydney Morning Herald: “How Enmore Road dethroned King Street as Sydney’s bar hotspot”

Subject:
“Feedback on the special entertainment precincts management plan“

Body (if unchanged):
“I’m writing to express my strong support for the proposed special entertainment precincts and the role they play in supporting Sydney’s live music, nightlife and cultural scene. 

Sydney’s music venues, pubs, nightclubs, and performance spaces are vital to the City’s identity, economy, and community. These businesses provide work for artists & performers, stimulating greater economic activity across our high streets. The proposed precincts will simplify the regulatory burden on those who make Sydney a fun place to live and attractive to visitors.  

With clearer planning and liquor regulation settings, these precincts will balance the needs of local communities while setting the scene for a thriving creative industry. Importantly, these precincts will set expectations for people moving into the area that make clear these are lively places and vibrant communities. I believe these precinct plans and sound controls achieve a good balance. I also support higher entertainment sound levels on weekends.  

I encourage Council to approve the proposed special entertainment precincts in full, including changes made since the initial discussion paper.  

Please consider this submission strongly supportive.“