We support and encourage the night-time economy by making it easy for late-night trading. This is part of the our Sutherland Shire Economic Strategy - PDF - 5204 KB. Creating vibrant places and offering more options for things to do benefits the local economy. It also improves the liveability of our suburbs.
NSW Government defines late-night trading as business activity taking place between 6:00pm and 6:00am.
Late night trading can benefit many types of businesses, from cafes to retail. The night-time economy can provide opportunities for arts, music and entertainment and reach new customers and communities.
Late night trading is an opportunity for many businesses. Some examples of business opportunities and undertakings are:
- Shops stay open later for workers heading home or for those who don’t work standard hours
- Businesses who want to expand or diversify their current daytime activity into the late night space
- Budding entrepreneurs that operate or want to operate into the late night
- Art galleries, theatres, studios and auditoriums
- Retail venues such as book stores, boutique clothing who would like to host forms of entertainment.
- Small bars
- Cafes and restaurants
- Pop-up or temporary uses such as events or markets
- Food trucks or mobile vendors or venues
- Venues who have the ability to host live music
- Any business seeking to diversify into the night.
Applying to trade at night
Extending your operating hours requires development approval. Planning NSW contains a comprehensive guide for establishing or expanding a night-time business. The guide includes planning processes, development application requirements, approvals and licences needed.
You can also contact a Sutherland Shire Council Duty Officer who can answer general questions about planning and development approval requirements. Duty Officers are available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. You can call or visit the Customer Service Centre in person.
The Sutherland Shire Development Control Plan 2015 contains maps showing high, intermediate and low-activity areas. High-activity areas are best suited to extended trading hours.