Public entertainment and temporary structures
Environmental assessment policy
Public entertainment and temporary structures
State Environmental Planning (Temporary Structures and Places of Public Entertainment) 2007 and associated provisions in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation provide a Statewide framework for assessment of public entertainment proposals.
This follows the transfer of public entertainment regulations from the Local Government Act to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.
Previously, a council approval under the Local Government Act was required before a building could be used as 'place of public entertainment' - which includes most theatre and acoustic and electrified live music. If new building works were proposed, or if the new entertainment is considered by the council as a "use change" for the premises, then a planning approval was also likely to be required.
The new system replaces this convoluted two step process with a new simpler fast-tracked single approval scheme. The new policy will mean that:
- Hotels, clubs and restaurants can get an automatic approval from an accredited certifier, or their local council, for live entertainment if they meet specified standards covering issues such as noise, building safety and patron numbers.
- Public entertainment in most existing public halls, which does not cause amenity problems, will be exempt from any planning approval.
- People authorised by the local council to erect tents or marquees in local parks for private parties, public entertainment or community events will no longer need a separate structural adequacy approval if they meet certain requirements.
The new arrangement still allows local councils to publicly exhibit and determine new live music proposals that could have a significant impact on a neighbourhood. A fact sheet is available about the reform.