Manly is on track to become a vibrant night-time destination, with local officials in the Northern Beaches working to launch an 18-month trial of a Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP). The initiative aims to support a thriving local economy while protecting the area’s unique community character.
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If funding is secured through NSW’s Special Entertainment Precinct Kickstart Grant Program—offering grants between $50,000 and $200,000—the trial would begin in mid-2026. It would introduce extended trading hours and tailored noise controls to enhance Manly’s cultural and economic vitality.
The precinct would allow both licensed and unlicensed businesses—such as cafés, bookshops, and galleries—to open later without the need for separate planning approvals. It would also encourage more live performances and cultural events, catering to a broad mix of visitors and residents, including families.
Old Manly Boatshed (Photo credit: Steve Herrick/Google Maps)
To maintain residential amenity, the trial will implement sound management measures informed by acoustic testing. These controls will be designed specifically for Manly’s local context, ensuring entertainment activity does not result in excessive noise. Businesses will gain certainty around their operating conditions, while residents can be assured that sound levels will be carefully managed.
As part of the broader My Place: Manly plan, the SEP would contribute to long-term business sustainability and create a more diverse, inclusive night-time economy. Live music venues could receive up to an 80% reduction in liquor licence fees and additional trading hours, supporting growth across a range of sectors.
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The new trading and sound conditions would override existing planning controls and licensing approvals, without reducing any business’s current approved trading hours.
If implemented, the Manly SEP could set a model for balanced, culturally rich night-time precincts across the state.
Published 26-April-2025
