They only come out at night: what do you think of City of Sydney’s proposals to boost its live scene?

The City of Sydney has come up with a number of proposals to boost its live scene, and is inviting the public to voice their opinion on the suggestions.

These night time economy ideas focus on making it easier for businesses to trade later to 10pm every day of the week without the need for development consent, and encouraging a small range of cultural events (such as live acoustic music in bookshop or comedy routines in cafes).

Of course, these would depend exactly where these venues would be, how long they stay open for, and how many patrons they are allowed to hold – however, the idea is a step in the right direction for an entertainment landscape that has declined over the years.

Another major idea is the introduction of Agent of Change – a policy that is becoming more important as inner city space becomes more valuable, and battle lines are drawn between granting permission to live music venues to allow bands to play louder and residents’ rights to sleep.

But as the City points out, it’s a question of getting the balance right.

Hence, it has thrown open opinions from the City’s residents in a survey atthe Sydney Your Say website.

This consultation will end at close of business on Wednesday December 13, 2017.

Under the Agent of Change, the onus would be on builders of new apartments in neighbourhoods where there are already existing live music venues, to ensure these places are sound-proofed.

It would also mean that, should residents believe that a venue is playing music louder than what has been approved, council rangers will have a set sound level they can measure at the front door of the residential building to determine if the complaint is indeed offensive noise or not.

The City of Sydney is asking for feedback on whom residents think should bear the onus on noise, how long a ban on music and noise should last so residents can sleep, and if this could be different during the weekend.

The issue of neighbours closing their windows during a live performance also creates issues with ventilation.

Agent of Change has been introduced in Melbourne and San Francisco and, as TMN has reported before, also being considered in Perth.

London too is introducing the idea – you can find out more in yesterday’sFestivals & Venues column.

By 2030, the City of Sydney hopes to double its night-time turnover to $30 billion and increase night-time employment by 25% to 100,000 jobs.

The plan also for 40% of people using the City at night to be aged over 40 and that 40% of operating businesses at this time will be shops.

The Music Network and City of Sydney have partnered on a series of interviews and essays discussing the future of Sydney music and the industry that supports it.