Review of regulatory barriers impeding a vibrant 24-hour economy

The NSW nighttime economy generates more than 56 billion dollars in turnover and employs over 300,000 people.

Businesses like restaurants, retail, and entertainment that open after 6 p.m. benefit from the extra hours and extra opportunities, and so do their staff.

The nighttime economy is also important to our social health. Interacting with people and being part of the community brings important mental health benefits.

Going out brings us together. Our vibrant 24-hour economy also reflects the diversity of our community and the different ways we choose to spend our time.

We want activities in the evening and early mornings and safe ways to get around and enjoy them. To meet this demand, we need to make it easier for businesses to respond to what people want with clear rules that are appropriate, clear, and consistent.

The NSW Productivity and Equality Commission's report called Review of Regulatory Barriers Impeding a Vibrant 24-hour economy complements the government's existing reforms. We applied a practical economic and productivity lens to the roadblocks that are holding back a thriving nighttime economy. Key recommendations include streamlining processes to make it easier to start and grow nighttime businesses and to run events after dark, making it easier for people to get around and enjoy everything the night has to offer, and clearly communicating existing initiatives like the vibrancy reforms that benefit businesses and councils.

We need to reduce red tape and uncertainty and encourage innovation so that businesses can invest, councils can plan with confidence, and people can safely enjoy more of their communities after dark. At its core, the nighttime economy is about people. It's about connection, belonging, and the simple joy of being together.

When we make it easier and safer to be social, communities flourish and so does the economy.