Council submits proposal for government approval
Council agreed at its ordinary meeting on 19 May to seek the NSW Government’s agreement to move forward on its proposal for an 18-month trial of the Manly Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) and seek further community feedback.
The proposal aims to boost night-time entertainment and dining options in Manly.
The SEP trial is due to start in the spring, and aims to make Manly a more vibrant place by encouraging more types of businesses to remain open after dark and introduce maximum sound controls which were removed by State Government changes last year.
Council received more than 300 submissions on the proposed SEP trial during community consultation, with many requesting changes to proposed trading hours and noise limits.
Mayor Sue Heins said council had made changes to the proposed Manly SEP trial to reflect the community’s feedback.
“The community has told us they want more cultural, entertainment and live music options to ensure Manly is a dynamic and thriving centre after dark,” Mayor Heins said.
“We have also heard concerns raised by some Manly residents about potential noise impacts and amended the proposal as a result.
“Our aim is to work on supporting local entertainment options, while ensuring that Manly remains a great place to live.
“We are listening to the community and will continue to consult the community as the project progresses.”
As part of the planning proposal for the Manly SEP trial, outdoor dining patrons must move indoors from 10pm on weeknights and venues can only trade until 2am on Friday and Saturday nights. Large and licensed venues must have their own security in place by 10pm, and entertainment venues must comply with strict noise limits from 10pm on weeknights and 12am on weekends.
Trading hours and entertainment sound are managed by a precinct management plan (PMP). Businesses can trade any time within set hours without DA approval, but licensed venues would need approval from Liquor and Gaming NSW to vary their liquor licence. Licensed venues which host live entertainment are eligible for additional hours of trading and premises already approved for trading hours outside the PMP can trade as usual.
Venues in the SEP will operate within new sound limits and new developments must be designed to manage and mitigate entertainment sound.
Following State Government agreement, council will put the plans on public exhibition for further community input.
Council will also conduct a peer review of an acoustic report commissioned on behalf of residents, and noise related submissions received during the upcoming exhibition period.
Recommendations concerning appropriate sound levels for the area and community input will be considered again by council before it decides whether to progress with the trial.
For more information visit the Northern Beaches Council website.