Manly has been given the green light to reinvent itself as a vibrant night-time destination, with a Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) now in motion, and some modest funding from the NSW Government to help get things moving.
Known for its beaches, natural beauty, and laid-back lifestyle, the suburb is hoping to rediscover its place in Sydney’s night scene, channelling the days when local venues played host to Aussie rock legends like INXS.
The vision is to create a diverse, 24-hour economy that goes beyond bars and clubs, embracing theatres, outdoor cinemas, live music and dining.
The feedback online has been largely positive, with hundreds of locals suggesting ideas from jazz festivals and art installations to underground bars and live gigs. Though some are recalling the rough and tumble of the Corso in decades past and questioning how a lively nightlife scene will coexist with growing residential development.
According to John Graham, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, the move is part of a broader push to rebuild the state’s nightlife, after it was “decimated” by “lockouts and overregulation” under the former Liberal government.
He said: “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.”
Northern Beaches Council will receive $173,760 through the SEP Kickstart Grant, which will fund “acoustic testing for event and non-event zones,” said Mayor Sue Heins, to ensure the area remains liveable and not just lively.
What will a SEP mean for Manly?
The introduction of SEPs is part of the broader ‘Vibrancy reforms’ introduced by the NSW Government to liven up designated town centres.
Among the changes:
- Outdoor dining rules have been permanently relaxed, allowing venues to make the most of their private spaces – even car parks and bowling greens are fair game now.
- Venues hosting live music receive an 80% discount on liquor licence fees and are able to stay open two hours later than usual.
- A new sound rule has made it harder for a single noise complaint to shut down a venue. Instead, five individual complaints are now required, and councils must also consider which party came first, the venue or the resident, before taking action.
- Under the Major Events Act the approval process will be faster and smoother for venues wanting to stay open during national occasions, and smaller pubs and restaurants will be encouraged to support recurring, large-scale or special events, such as Manly Rise.
The government has also repealed the ‘5km Rule’ that previously restricted club access for nearby residents, removed the seated drinking requirements for outdoor spaces and introduced simpler guidelines to bring streets and public spaces to life during festivities.
SEPs elsewhere:
Manly’s trial follows the success of Enmore Road, the state’s first SEP, which was hailed ‘one of the world’s best going-out districts’ by Time Out in 2023.
The model was backed by 84% of locals in an Inner West Council survey and has inspired other councils including Burwood, Fairfield and Hornsby to start SEP planning of their own.
24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues, said: “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.”
What is next?
Mayor Heins explained the next step to establish the trial in Manly’s Corso will be consultation.
“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,” she said.
In line with new ‘eyes wide open’ planning rules passed in October 2024, the council will also be required to notify all future home buyers, tenants and developers that they are entering a designated nightlife zone.
Once finalised, the SEP will help future-proof Manly’s entertainment scene, creating a space where live performance, late-night dining and cultural expression can thrive alongside the suburb’s natural charm.
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