After the toll lockout laws have taken on the city, it looks like Sydney is finally serious about rebooting its nightlife.
The City Of Sydney has announced it is seeking people across the local nightlife and creative sectors to join its new advisory panel tasked with invigorating the city after dark.
The panel will advise on new initiatives, as well as identify emerging issues and opportunities for Sydney's night-time economy.
"Establishing a panel of industry experts who we can work closely with to revitalise our night-time economy is the next step in acting on this critical issue," Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.
"We demonstrated our commitment to the night-time economy with our OPEN Sydney strategy and action plan in 2012, after more than two years of research and consultation across this diverse sector – now we are seeking a taskforce of passionate and dedicated industry professionals to have a seat at the table.
Moore continued, "Unfortunately, there is no escaping the fact that the NSW Government’s lockout laws have put the brakes on Sydney’s night-time economy.
"We have long maintained it’s possible to have a nightlife that is both safe and vibrant.
"The lockout laws were a sledgehammer blow when what we needed was evidence-based policies that allow well-managed venues to trade as part of a safe and sustainable late-night culture.
"We will keep advocating for changes to the laws, but in the meantime we need government, business and industry to work together to identify practical ways to boost our night-time culture and support businesses operating in the night-time economy.
Keep Sydney Open's Tyson Koh applauded the City Of Sydney's move.
"It's great to see the City Of Sydney take the initiative of focusing their attention on our city's nightlife," Koh told The Music.
"They are picking up the slack where the NSW Government have failed dismally. There is a role to play by all levels of government, and by the community as well.
"With that in mind, let's hope this transcends talk and bureaucracy to make real action."
Submissions open today and close on 26 February; for more information, including details on how to make a submission, click here.
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