The Amplify music program brings live music to a street, beach or town centre near you, creating opportunities for musicians to perform in unique public spaces across Randwick City.
The program runs across seven locations throughout the LGA, giving artists the opportunity to perform in distinctive settings while bringing music into everyday community spaces. By activating streets, beaches, plazas and town centres, Amplify helps create a stronger sense of community, connection and place, while encouraging people to spend time in and experience their local neighbourhoods differently.
11am - 2pm
Performer
Michael Meissner
Location
La Perouse, adjacent to the Boat Shed (Between Playground and the Boatshed)
Coogee and Randwick venues set to trade later under new entertainment precinct trial
Despite resident fears over violent and anti-social behaviour, a Sydney council has greenlit late-night trading trials at two eastern suburbs hotspots to promote live music and boost business.
Venues at two eastern suburbs hotspots are set to trade later under a new plan to promote live music in the area, despite concerns around noise and rowdiness.
Randwick Council has approved the trial of two Special Entertainment Precincts (SEPs) in its local area, which will allow venues to open later and incentivise more live music through reduced licensing fees.
The trial areas at Coogee and The Spot in Randwick are still in a draft stage when it comes to hours of trade, but a draft plan exhibited to residents proposed hours as late as 2am at the former location and 1am at the latter.
The motion passed Randwick Council unanimously at a recent meeting, though councillors including Greens representative Masoomeh Asgari argued Kingsford would be a more appropriate trial location as “Coogee is already one of the busiest destinations in our LGA”.
“Residents have expressed their concern that extending trading hours is likely to result in increased alcohol-related activity, more noise and antisocial behaviour,” Cr Asgari said.
Venues at two eastern suburbs hotspots are set to trade later under a new plan to promote live music in the area, despite concerns around noise and rowdiness.
Randwick Council has approved the trial of two Special Entertainment Precincts (SEPs) in its local area, which will allow venues to open later and incentivise more live music through reduced licensing fees.
The trial areas at Coogee and The Spot in Randwick are still in a draft stage when it comes to hours of trade, but a draft plan exhibited to residents proposed hours as late as 2am at the former location and 1am at the latter.
The motion passed Randwick Council unanimously at a recent meeting, though councillors including Greens representative Masoomeh Asgari argued Kingsford would be a more appropriate trial location as “Coogee is already one of the busiest destinations in our LGA”.
“Residents have expressed their concern that extending trading hours is likely to result in increased alcohol-related activity, more noise and antisocial behaviour,” Cr Asgari said.
“Kingsford presents a stronger opportunity with better access to public transport, a growing hospitality sector and greater capacity for evening activity.”
The council ultimately endorsed a staged approach to the precincts, with a trial to begin at Anzac Parade in Kingsford within two years.
The operating hours are still in a draft stage and are not set to come into effect until late 2027. Venues in the area such as the Coogee Bay Hotel, which already trade later than the precinct plan, will not have their hours shortened.
Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker said a vibrant night-time economy was “about creating welcoming places where people can enjoy live music, arts, shopping and community events at a time that suits them while supporting local jobs and businesses too”.
“Creating great places doesn’t stop at 5pm,” he said.
“When our town centres are active after dark, everyone benefits. Local businesses attract more customers, more people spend time in our centres, and that helps create safer, more vibrant communities.”
A SEP is defined by the government as an area where councils have made a plan with venues and the community to “set and manage amplified music levels”.
If the guidelines for an SEP are followed, councils become eligible for up to $250,000 for soundproofing, community engagement, lighting and safety.
Participating venues are able to take advantage of reduced liquor licensing fees, later trading hours, and a higher threshold for noise complaints. Unlicensed premises such as retail, grocery stores and hairdressers are also able to extend their trading hours in line with a precinct’s plan.
Woollahra Council staff are in the process of investigating an SEP at Double Bay, while Waverley Council is working to establish one at Bondi Junction.
Trials of the program in Randwick and Coogee are set to focus on managing the impact of precinct-wide noise on surrounding residents, rather than current measures which are based on individual venue controls. The council will also pursue additional nightlife safety accreditation under the Purple Flag program.
NSW music and the night-time economy minister John Graham said it was “good to see the vast majority of Randwick residents in favour of joining more than 20 other NSW communities that are setting up special entertainment precincts to boost their night-time economies”.
“The community is in charge here, so for any locals with concerns, it’s important to know this is a council-led process with extensive community consultation,” he said.
“The boundaries, trading hours and noise settings are all within the council’s control and will be informed by the community.
“One of the huge benefits is that local businesses in the precincts would be able to trade later without spending tens of thousands of dollars each on development applications to expand their offering.”
Mr Graham said he hoped a “boost in trade and reduction in costs can help small business owners and their customers battling with the cost of living”.
The entertainment precinct program was first trialled in Enmore, where it has been broadly hailed as a success for venues, musicians and patrons and resulted in estimated business savings of $2.1 million annually.
Tamworth recently approved the state’s first two regional trials of the program, with 24 councils across the state in the process of implementing or pursuing an SEP in their area.