Some good news for sleepy Sydney
BY KIERAN ADAIR
It’s been a good week for Keep Sydney Open.
With World Bar and Stonewall successfully applying to have their opening hours extended beyond 1.30am and news that the government is assessing another 15 applications from similar venues, their campaign to repeal the lockouts has scored a much needed victory.
On Saturday, the campaign held its third rally in Martin Place, following the last minute cancellation of last month’s protest, courtesy of the NSW Police Force.
Campaign Manager Tyson Koh was joined by City of Sydney Councillor Christine Forster and State MP Alex Greenwhich, who addressed the 500-strong crowd, and spoke of the destructive impact the lockouts have had on small businesses, and Sydney’s standing as a cultural hub.
“Lockout laws, we don’t need them,” said a passionate Forster.
“I’m here to send a message to Macquarie Street that we don’t need them.”
She went on to talk about the businesses and venues in the lockout zone had been “deeply and unchangeably” affected by laws, explaining that they’ve had effects beyond their original intent.
“[Gladys Berejiklian] become the Premier with a message that she will listen to the people. So, to Gladys and the rest of the people in Macquarie Street, please listen”.
Alex Greenwich took a more personal note when explaining his opposition to the lockouts. Talking about the lost opportunities for personal connections that result when young people are sent home at 1.30 in the morning.
“I met my husband in a bar on Oxford St after 1.30am. Think of all those who haven’t met their partners because of this” he told the crowd.
Tyson Koh acknowledged the victory the Keep Sydney Open campaign had achieved, with the recent extension of the lockout, but acknowledged there was still a long way to go.
“The current status is still grim and we have a lot of work to do, but we are moving in the right direction and no one can deny that it’s all been because of you and your passion for our city.
“Since our first protest one year ago, our followers have quadrupled. The people and businesses lining up to support us have grown as well and seeing everyone from toddlers to Baby Boomers attend, displayed just how diverse the support is for wanting a vibrant and safe late-night scene in Sydney.”
Last year’s TimeOut Cities index listed Sydney as the third least fun capital in the world to live in, with the lockouts, and their effect on the city’s late-night commerce, thought largely to be at blame for the drop.
Along with a number of live music venues and bars, the lockouts have also forced the closure of several restaurants and late night haunts that relied on the traffic brought in by venues on Friday and Saturday nights.
When asked whether “there’s always something new to do”, only 22 per cent of those Sydney-siders surveyed answered in the affirmative.
Embarrassingly, as Mr Koh pointed out, even Bruce Springsteen was left at a loose end when he was in Sydney last week, after being told he was unable to go anywhere for a late night drink following his concert.
“Fun is not a crime. There is no reason you should be shamed by some out of touch Baby Boomer or politician.” Koh told the rally.
Keep Sydney Open has proposed a number of measures aimed at revitalising the city’s nightlife. These include the introduction of a Night Mayor, currently used in London and Amsterdam as a way of centralising strategic planning of the city’s night time economy, a mechanism to incentivise well-run venues, education campaigns around alcohol fuelled violence, diversification of after dark activities (including live music, extended retail and hospitality hours, and small bars), and 24-hour public transport.
The group believes that these measures, if properly implemented, would ensure public safety and allow the lockout laws to be repealed.
