Kiama KISSART Festival attracted thousands to the town. Supporters say a Special Entertainment Precinct would make it easier to hold such events. Photo: KISSART Festival.
Kiama residents will have more opportunities to love the nightlife after a $200,000 funding boost moved the town one step closer to establishing a Special Entertainment Precinct.
Residents, visitors and businesses have long called for a relaxation in bureaucratic red tape to allow for designated cultural zones which allow longer trading hours, live entertainment, outdoor dining and pop-up cultural events, as well as more generous sound limits.
Kiama Council will receive $200,000 in funding from the NSW Government to establish a night-time economy strategy and consult with local business owners, residents and authorities on establishing the precinct.
More than a year ago the Kiama Entertainment Precinct group was formed to push for the zone, launching a petition and holding discussions with Kiama Council and the NSW Government.
This week (26 August), the NSW Music and the Night-time Economy Minister John Graham announced the funding that he says will support council to build a night-time economy that gives locals more entertainment options, tourists more reasons to visit and businesses a healthier bottom line.
He said 19 NSW councils were progressing their own precincts or have passed motions in favour of investigating the option.
“We’ve been cutting red tape and backing local councils and venues to thrive. It’s now time for Kiama to join the nightlife revival,” he said.
“After consulting with the community on the right settings, the Special Entertainment Precinct framework will allow the council to set tailored trading hours and sound rules within the designated area.
Katelin McInerney and John Graham discuss Kiama’s proposed Special Entertainment Precinct. Photo NSW Government.
“Businesses within that precinct can then take up those conditions without the costly process of amending their individual development consents.”
Mr Graham was joined in the announcement by Labor’s candidate for the Kiama byelection Katelin McInerney, who has long been vocal in her support of the precinct.
She told Region Illawarra earlier this year that the precinct was “vital to the future vibrancy of our town centre and vital to the success of local businesses, jobs and the enjoyment of residents and visitors as more residential development occurs in this area”.
“Our town needs a more diverse mix of businesses that cater for everyone, fosters community and makes live music and entertainment accessible and the best place to build that soul is at the heart of our town,” she said at the time.
“A SEP would strike a thoughtful balance – the precinct reforms include an ‘eyes wide open’ provision, so anyone buying property or moving into a SEP area makes an informed decision.
“Venues that host live music and entertainment venues gain crucial protection against complaints through reformed sound management policies that prevent single noise complaints from shutting down establishments.”
Only days before the announcement, Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald called on the government to address a range of council priorities for the electorate in the upcoming byelection, including the establishment of a Special Entertainment Precinct to support Kiama’s live music and night-time economy.
“These issues are critical to the future of Kiama,” Cr McDonald said.
