Eamon Waterford, CEO of the Committee for Sydney:

“Twelve years on from the lockout laws that decimated Sydney’s nightlife, we now have a nightlife policy that’s the envy of the world and well and truly starting to bear fruit.

“The lockout laws told the world Sydney was shut for fun, but the reforms we’ve seen over the past few years have progressively unpicked that narrative.

“With last drinks now called on the lockouts, we can proudly tell the world our city is on the way to being one of the world’s great nightlife destinations.

“Crucially, our nightlife is bigger and more diverse than ever. Instead of the long trip into Kings Cross, Sydneysiders are getting FOMO for incredible local scenes bubbling up in places like Canley Vale, Burwood and Manly.

“We’ve got a buzzing culture of grassroots promoters and music makers, food trucks, venues and creative spaces who were forced to make their own fun in the years of lockouts and lockdowns.

“That’s not just hype, you can see it in Visa’s nightlife data, which shows seven of Australia’s top 10 nightlife precincts can be found in different parts of Greater Sydney.

“This is a sector that now drives $56-102 billion in turnover, with 45,000 businesses and 300,000 employees.

“We wouldn’t wish it on our least favourite city, but none of this would have happened if we hadn’t hit rock bottom with the lockouts.

“The reforms have not just rolled back the lockouts, they have built the governance infrastructure to ensure these precincts and local scenes can grow sustainably.

“There’s more work to be done, but let’s take this moment to recognise and reflect this tremendously successful achievement – here in Sydney we can deliver major policy reform that positions our city to be the best in the world.

The Committee for Sydney’s 2018 Sydney as a 24 Hour City report made a set of recommendations designed to rebuild the city’s nighttime economy – virtually all have now been enacted: 

1. NSW Department for Premier and Cabinet should lead development of a night-time economy strategy for Greater Sydney.

✔ Implemented. The NSW Government launched its first 24-Hour Economy Strategy in 2021, covering planning, transport, safety, licensing and culture to support night-time business. A refreshed strategy expanded scope in 2024.

2. NSW Government should introduce a coordinating figure to bring together different agencies and actors in the night-time economy (e.g. ‘Night Czar/Mayor’ or Minister for the Night-Time Economy).

✔ Implemented. NSW created the role of 24-Hour Economy Commissioner and has a Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy in Cabinet, centralising cross-agency coordination.

3. There should be ongoing evaluation by NSW Government into impact of ‘relaxations’ of the lockout laws following the Callinan Review.

✔ Implemented. After the 2016 Callinan Review, the NSW Government relaxed the lockout and last-drinks rules for live entertainment venues for a trial and extended takeaway alcohol hours. XXXX (insert 2026 result)

4. NSW Government should examine Amsterdam-style ‘planned districts’ for areas with dense and diverse night-time activities (e.g Kings Cross), with a voluntary community-led model like Newtown.

✔ Implemented. NSW introduced Special Entertainment Precincts where councils can define areas with adjusted sound and trading regulations, akin to planned night precincts.

5. Businesses in the night-time economy should establish a Night-time Industries Association in NSW.

✔ Implemented. The NTIE’s mission is to rebuild, protect and grow night time experiences and industries – encompassing hospitality, arts & culture, events and performance.

6. Local Councils responsible for major night-time precincts should pilot ‘Night-time Business Improvement Districts’.

✔ Implemented. Community Improvement Districts legislation passed the NSW Parliament in 2025, and a number of CIDs are being delivered across NSW.

7. A Night Zone – Safer Transport Initiative should be piloted, potentially in Business Improvement Districts.

✔ Implemented. $35 million for a Safer Cities Program led by Transport for NSW was delivered to improve perceptions of safety in public spaces and transport hubs.

8. Councils could consider a scheme similar to UK ‘Purple Flag’ accreditation, and work on cross-boundary night-time economy strategies.

✔ Implemented. NSW Government’s Purple Flag program has been launched to recognise and certify precincts that meet high standards for safe, diverse and well-managed night-time economies.

9. Planning controls should be amended so that any new development with a residential component within 100 metres of an entertainment venue will have to assess the noise from that venue and design and build to manage the noise.

✔Implemented. The NSW Government’s 24-Hour Economy Legislation Amendment (Vibrancy Reforms) changed how noise and planning conditions apply for entertainment venues, combined with special requirements for venues in Special Entertainment Precincts.

10. NSW Government, in partnership with other agencies, should extend existing promotional guides to produce a guide to night-time activities, including a digital version, to market and promote Sydney to regional and international visitors.

✔Implemented. The Uptown District Acceleration Program acts as a statewide promotional and capacity-building initiative helping local business communities craft and share stories, brand identities and going-out experiences that attract visitors to their night-time districts. Neon Marketplace is a NSW Government-run digital platform launched by the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner that aggregates districts, businesses, creatives, opportunities, events and promotional content in a single online space to help market and promote night-time offerings across NSW, including to interstate and international audiences.