Entertainment re-prioritised for Sydney beach destinations Manly and Cronulla

With the NSW Government looking to invigorate Sydney’s night-time economy, two premier city beach destinations suburbs - Manly and Cronulla – will be trialled as Special Entertainment Precincts.

The re-prioritisation of entertainment in these Sydney suburbs aims to usher in a new era reminiscent of the days when beachside pubs and surf clubs hosted bands like INXS, Midnight Oil and The Angels.

Building on Manly and Cronulla’s reputation for surf and natural beauty, this will boost entertainment and culture before and after dark, providing more vibrancy for locals and a bigger drawcard for visitors.

Northern Beaches Council will receive funding under the NSW Government’s SEP Kickstart Grant program ($173,760) to establish a trial in Manly's Corso to future-proof its unique local identity, culture, visitor infrastructure, status as an established night-time precinct and events like Winterfest.

Cronulla’s town centre will also become a SEP trial area with Sutherland Shire Council awarded a SEP Kickstart Grant ($200,000) which will support the council’s long-term vision for a thriving, vibrant and safe night-time economy to extend popular daytime visitation into night-time activity and deliver a better mix of entertainment options like recent Cronulla Jazz and Blues Festival.

Manly and Cronulla will join a pipeline of NSW suburbs and towns that are establishing entertainment precincts to boost nightlife and trade.

NSW Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham notes “In the 80s and 90s our beachside suburbs were a huge part of the iconic pub rock scene. It’s time to bring some of that back, but in a way that meets today’s culture.

“Beautiful beaches and great nightlife don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

“I congratulate the Manly and Cronulla councils for taking this important step to boosting their night-time economies. Getting the trading hours and noise settings right for local businesses will help these iconic beach suburbs thrive once the sun goes down.”

The state’s first ever Special Entertainment Precinct was made permanent on Enmore Road in December 2023 which has led to boosted foot traffic, business revenue, night-time visitation and 84% support in a local community survey.

Since then, local councils in Burwood, Fairfield, Hornsby, the Inner West, City of Sydney and Byron Bay have announced they are establishing Special Entertainment Precinct trials. 14 other councils have also formally expressed interest in establishing of entertainment precincts.

The NSW Government’s Special Entertainment Precinct initiative allows councils to extend trading hours and tailor sound rules within a designated area so individual operators can take up those conditions without the costly process of amending their individual development consents.

Once established, Special Entertainment Precincts allow councils to future proof their entertainment precincts by notifying residents and prospective home buyers that they will be living in a defined area where later trading hours and higher levels of sound are supported by council.

24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues shared “We often compare Sydney to London or New York when it comes to nightlife. Neither of those cities have beaches nor the temperate environment we enjoy. It's great to see Manly and Cronulla, two of our premier city beach destinations, embracing the opportunity afforded to them through the Special Entertainment Precinct model.

“Consultation is key, and this funding will help councils work with local businesses, creatives, residents, police and other local leaders to get the settings right.

“By establishing SEP trials and working alongside businesses and the wider community, these councils will ensure their nightlife offerings continue to evolve in line with community needs.”

Northern Beaches Council Mayor Sue Heins enthused “We’re so pleased to receive this kickstart grant for a Special Entertainment Precinct in Manly. Everyone knows how good Manly beach is, but it is more than just that.  This trial will help show how Manly could flourish as a premier destination for entertainment, dining, and culture, while ensuring the right balance between business success and community amenity.

“This grant will fund our acoustic testing for event and non-event zones. Events like last week’s hugely successful Rise Manly Winter Festival, where venues offered 10 days of diverse experiences for all ages from sunrise to sundown, are a prime example of some of the testing we plan to undertake.

"We are committed to working closely with the community, local businesses, NSW Police and other key stakeholders to tailor noise management and trading hours, giving businesses certainty and residents confidence in the viability of this initiative."

Sutherland Shire Council Mayor Jack Boyd added “We have some tremendous bars, eateries and entertainment venues in Cronulla, and through the establishment of a Special Entertainment Precinct we will support our quality local operators to provide more entertainment options for local residents.

“Through extensive community consultation we know there is a real desire for people looking to spend their entertainment dollars locally and enjoy a night out, see some great live music, or enjoy a drink with friends after heading out for a meal while staying in the Sutherland Shire.

“This initiative will help Council to back our amazing local business community in delivering more diverse and vibrant night-time entertainment options right here in Cronulla and help harness the desire of local residents to shop, dine, drink and enjoy themselves locally.”

Rolling out Special Entertainment Precincts across NSW is one of many tools the State Government is using to rebuild a vibrant and safe night-time economy.

For more information 

Image.Manly Credit: Karen Watson/ Northern Beaches Council