New panel to advise on Sydney nightlife strategies

The City of Sydney Council has voted in favour of establishing a new Creative City and Nightlife Advisory Panel, which will be tasked with improving the city’s nightlife.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore put forward the proposal for the new panel, which will provide expert advice on the implementation of cultural and nightlife policies and strategies.

In putting for the plan, Moore said: “The Panel would play in an important role in helping the City to engage with the creative, cultural and nightlife community and in deepening our understanding of its complex ecology, its challenges and its aspirations.

“Drawing on this engagement and understanding, the Panel would advise on other issues related to Sydney’s cultural life and nightlife, help the City identify and respond to new and emerging issues and suggest opportunities for partnership and collaboration.

“This Panel would also play an important role galvanising efforts across the cultural, nightlife, government and private sectors to apply strategic leadership to realising a vision for Sydney as a vibrant cultural and creative city.”

She added: “To fulfil this role, the Panel would require members with a mix of experience, expertise and participation in the cultural, creative and nightlife sectors, particularly in areas relating to the City’s cultural, creative and nightlife priorities.

“Some members may have many years’ involvement, others may bring new energy with fresh ideas and imagination. All would be champions of the City’s cultural life and nightlife.”

Moore said that while some of the recent changes to the city’s lockout laws, including a 30-minute extension to trading hours for live entertainment venues and increasing the capacity and trading hours for small bars were welcome, “they do not go far enough”. She added: “Increasingly the creative and nightlife sectors look to the City for leadership and support.”

The council has approved the plan for the Panel and now Chief Executive, Monica Barone, will report back to the council with details of the structure of the panel as well as suitable panel members.