City of Sydney aims to boost nightlife precincts

The City of Sydney has unveiled plans to boost nightlife, saying 5000 businesses across more than 20 special entertainment precincts are set to benefit.

Venues within the precincts will be able to trade later and gain access to NSW Government benefits, including liquor licence fee discounts and extended licensing hours.

“This will be the largest overhaul of late-night trading of its kind in Australia,” Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO said.

“Our community has resoundingly voiced its support for our plans so far, highlighting the fact that we want to see a nightlife that reflects our status as a global city.

“The community has also asked us to allow some areas to trade even later and we’ve listened.”

The proposals seek to expand some of the City of Sydney’s existing late-night precincts and add new ones. Hopefully, security will also be addressed.

Special entertainment precincts would now include:

*a new area along Harris Street in Ultimo, including the Powerhouse Museum
* expanded precincts along Meagher Street and Shepherd Street in Chippendale
* an expanded Oxford Street precinct, covering The National Art School and Qtopia.

“In response to community feedback we have expanded special entertainment precinct status to some new areas," Moore said. "We have heard the concerns of residents in some of those areas and we will continue to work with them as well as businesses, workers and visitors through this next phase to ensure we get the balance right.” 

The following areas would be upgraded to a later ‘tier’, unlocking later hours for businesses:

* Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, Wharves 3 and 4
* several streets around the Mercantile Hotel in The Rocks
* part of Oxford Street to the east of Taylor Square
* Regent Street, Botany Road and parts of Redfern Street
* The Hollywood Quarter around Campbell, Foster and Commonwealth streets in Surry Hills.

“It’s clear our communities are invested in these proposals but it’s a very technical process, so by consulting them every step of the way we’re ensuring they understand and support us at each stage of this journey,” Moore said.

The changes are part of a broader suite of proposals to recognise established and understood late-night trading areas with special entertainment precinct status.

“We all want a nightlife we can be proud of, and that our global city deserves,” Moore added.

Image: City of Sydney, Ed Hurst

Sydney does NYE in style

Sydney always hosts one of the first - and finest - New Year's Eve celebration on the planet.

The City of Sydney has sent me some image to share, even as many of you are still awaiting your own NYE fireworks.

 








Nearly a million people are estimated to have come together on the night for the traditional fireworks display on Sydney Harbour.

People across the foreshore also observed a minute’s silence at 11pm remembering the victims of the recent Bondi terror attack. “New Year’s Eve is about more than just fireworks and once again we showed the best of Sydney. It was a true reflection of who we are - a diverse, inclusive and creative city,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“I was truly impressed by the phenomenal New Year’s Eve show that brought together fireworks, music, lights and pylon projections into a show Sydney will be proud of.

“In a show of support for the Jewish community, we respectfully marked the horrific attack in Bondi that has brought so much sorrow to Sydney over the last few weeks.

“I was moved to see people right across the harbour embrace the moment of unity, showing the world we will not let this hateful act of terror divide us. We are a respectful, inclusive and welcoming city, and a home to so many people of different nationalities and faiths. Sydney demonstrated to the world that we stand together as one community.

“I’d like to thank our amazing events crew, the thousands of emergency service men and women, security and transport staff, volunteers, as well as our clean up teams who gave up their night to allow us to enjoy the celebrations safely.

“I hope New Year’s Eve gave people the chance to end 2025 on a positive note and I wish everyone in Sydney a peaceful, safe and prosperous start to 2026.”

Nine tonnes of fireworks were shot from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, six city centre buildings and 8 platforms on the harbour.

Images: City of Sydney

Sydney promising New Year's Eve celebrations "as usual"

Sydney is promising New Year's Eve as usual - except for a few more guns. 

The City of Sydney says teams around the harbour are putting the final touches on Sydney’s famous New Year’s Eve spectacular as the city comes together to ring in 2026.

At 11pm, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and boats on the water will light up white as a symbol of unity and peace, in the wake of the terrorist attacks at Bondi Beach two weeks ago. 

Sydney will pause for one minute of silence, with crowds invited to switch on phone torches in solidarity. 

The Premier of New South Wales state, Chris Minns, said police will be deployed "in massive numbers" and some will be carrying weapons that "residents have not seen before".

“After a tragic end to the year for our city, we hope that New Year’s Eve will provide an opportunity to come together and look with hope for a peaceful and happy 2026,” said Clover Moore, Lord Mayor of Sydney. 

“On our biggest night of the year, Sydney coming together will demonstrate to the world that we stand together as one community, united in love.

“This year’s event will be our biggest New Year’s Eve yet, with more fireworks launched from more locations than ever before. Sydney New Year’s Eve is more than just fireworks, it is a reflection of who we are - a diverse, inclusive and creative city.”

So money will still be made. 

More fireworks than ever before will spring from water, land and aerial platforms, 6 city rooftops and the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.

“With a footprint spanning 7km along the harbour, we’re doing everything we can to give the people of Sydney a great night with some stunning pyrotechnic moments,” Foti International Fireworks creative director Fortunato Foti said.

“We’ve been delighting and entertaining Sydney New Year’s Eve audiences for 29 years and we strive to make every year bigger and better."

Visit sydneynewyearseve.com to choose a spot to watch the fireworks. 

Image: Credit: City of Sydney/Keith McInnes

Spicy future envisaged for Chinatown

A new plan to upgrade and reinvigorate Dixon Street in Chinatown has been unanimously endorsed by the City of Sydney Council. 

Consultation with more than 1,150 residents and businesses helped shaped the plan, which includes $5 million to revive Dixon Street Mall, restore its famed gates, install new seating as well as creative lighting overlays and improved services to support events.

 

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said it was important for the City to work with local communities to breathe new life into the historic area, especially following the impacts of Covid-19.    

 

“Our community in Chinatown was one of the first and hardest hit by the pandemic, and it continues to suffer while international tourism and study has not yet fully returned,” Moore said.

 

“While we have been safely activating public places and inviting people back to experience all Chinatown has to offer since Covid restrictions were eased, we’re excited to ensure its long-term future by reinvigorating Dixon Street as a dynamic space for people, daily life and culture.

 

“Our communities have enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to help us shape the Dixon Street precinct and painted a picture that celebrates the diversity of Asian cultures, food and history. 

 

“We know the renewal of the Chinatown Gates is incredibly important and it is a focus for us as we move forward with our plans.”  

 

Since 2010, Sydney has has initiated several public space investments in the Chinatown precinct. 

 

“Now, through our proposed public domain improvements in the heart of Chinatown, we will make the area an even more attractive environment for people to walk around and spend time, which will in turn support local businesses and economic activity,” Moore says.

 

Residents, businesses and visitors were invited to complete surveys and attend community forums in English and Asian languages to ensure they were part of the plans for the area. 

                                                                                                  

Contributors highlighted the need to reflect the cultural diversity of the area, increasing authentic and affordable food and retail experiences. They said it was important to respect the heritage and traditions of Chinatown while exploring exciting new ways to express culture. 

 

Key long-term priorities for Haymarket are:   

 

• boosting lighting to create a safe and colourful atmosphere 
• increasing events, activities and outdoor dining on the streets 
• more seating  

• preserving the local character and cultural heritage 
• extending trading hours to boost the thriving nightlife 
• more public art. 

 

Dixon Street’s management is split between the City of Sydney and the NSW Government, with Placemaking NSW (a name obviously created by a committee of creatives) taking over Dixon Street north between Goulburn and Liverpool streets and the City of Sydney managing the pedestrianised area between Goulburn and Hay streets. 

For more details see cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/haymarket-precinct