Venue-owners should pay for late night trains: Clover

The City of Sydney is proposing to levy venue-owners to fund late night transport in problem areas such as Kings Cross.

According to Council, recent independent research illustrates the need for a transport overhaul to adequately deal with thousands of people who migrate to the city at the weekend.

“The City needs improved transport to make sure the large number of people in our late night trading areas can get quickly into the City for a night out, and more importantly, safely home,” a spokesman for Ms Moore said.

“One option the State Government could consider is a levy to provide for this desperately needed transport.”

But Australian Hotels Association Chief Executive, Sally Fielke, hit back at Ms Moore’s proposal, saying a levy is already an option being considered.

“If the Lord Mayor actually participated in the stakeholder process instead of playing politics and trying to demonise an industry she would know this,” she said.

“The industry is already working on a range of options… this includes financial contributions from late night traders.”

The proposal comes after Council recently called on the NSW Government to reverse its decision to revoke the changes to its Late Night Trading Development Control Plan.

According to research by the City of Sydney, a recent count on the weekend saw 6,000 people move through Bayswater Road in an hour and 80 alcohol-related incidents.

“The research support the need for coordinated action to tackle rogue late night venue operators and treat entertainment areas like large scale events with increased resources on Friday and Saturday nights,” a spokesman for Ms Moore said.