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Unlocking the potential of night-time economies
A Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) is a designated night-time going out area where the local council sets later trading hours and more flexible sound conditions for live entertainment, hospitality, community facilities, shops and businesses. Using the planning system to provide clear, tailored rules for activity in the area gives greater certainty to businesses and residents and helps to create vibrant, thriving and welcoming destinations.
Councils lead the process of making a SEP, though in very exceptional circumstances the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces may also make a SEP.
The council prepares planning documents in consultation with local businesses and the community and following the NSW SEP Guidelines. In the same way as other planning matters are managed, the SEP must be approved by the elected council before the council maps it in the local planning map, known as a Local Environmental Plan.
The council sets the trading hours and sound conditions tailored for the SEP in a precinct management plan, which is published on the council’s website. This means that everyone knows when businesses can operate and how much sound from entertainment activity can be made.
The SEP must be run as a trial for the first 12 to 18 months, so that the council can assess the SEP’s impacts in consultation with local businesses and the community. The council can then decide whether to make the SEP permanent.
SEPs can make it easier for hospitality, retail and entertainment businesses to trade later, host live performance, diversify their offering and operate with confidence.
If you are in a SEP, you won’t need to modify your development consent to trade later – potentially saving you money – and there will be a higher tolerance for entertainment sound.
Being in a SEP means:
Later trading hours for most business types, including bonus hours on a liquor licence if you register with Liquor & Gaming NSW as a dedicated live music or performance venue
No need to modify your DA to extend your trading hours if you align with the settings in the precinct management plan
Tailored sound limits for entertainment activity in a precinct management plan for more certainty
Higher threshold for noise complaints, thanks to clearly defined sound limits and clear resident notification about the SEP
A fairer approach to sound compliance, as Liquor & Gaming NSW regulates entertainment sound from licensed venues, and council regulates everything else
Soundproofing encouraged for new residential buildings, protecting existing venues from noise complaints.
New residents and landowners are notified of a SEP through planning certificates and the council website
Opportunity to promote your precinct as a great going out area
Contact your local council to see what’s planned for your area and get involved in consultation.
Find out how to register with Liquor & Gaming NSW and host regular live entertainment to access trading hour incentives through the online form on the Liquor & Gaming NSW website.
Visit nsw.gov.au/seps for information about how SEPs are made and operated.
We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of First Nations Australians. We also acknowledge all of the traditional owners of the land in NSW, and pay respect to First Nations Elders, past and present.
