A Minns Labor Government will maintain a streamlined approach for outdoor dining across all councils in NSW by making current regulations permanent. 

NSW Labor will give power to local governments to decide what works best for them and their communities by removing a need for businesses to apply for permits via the NSW Government. 

This means that instead of a full development application which costs time and money, and requires additional permits via the NSW Government, businesses can instead make a far simpler and timely application to their local council, and councils can make the decision for themselves as to what works for their own community. 

This is about the state government staying out of the way and letting more small businesses take the opportunity for more innovative business offerings. 

In October 2020, the government announced initial trials in the Rocks from October 2020 and all other councils from December 2020. 

But these expire on 31 December 2023 – and revert back to the old system of a full DA – with all the time and expense associated. 

NSW Labor will make the these arrangements permanent.

Quotes attributable to Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader: 

“If Labor is elected we want to make more outdoor options permanent, to revive high streets and get Sydney and the suburbs going again.”

Quotes attributable to John Graham, NSW Shadow Minister for Night Time Economy:

“After a decade of Liberal lockouts and lockdown this is a positive policy step that we can take to back outdoor dining.” 

Quotes attributable to Paul Scully, NSW Shadow Minister for Planning & Public Spaces: 

“We’ve heard from local businesses that the outdoor dining permit process is time-consuming and costly. This should be a matter for local council and under a NSW Labor Government, it will be.” 

Quotes attributable to Greg Warren, NSW Shadow Minister for Local Government: 

“Local councils should decide what works best for their suburbs, not Macquarie Street. Only NSW Labor will give control back to local communities to decide what works best for them.”

CHRIS MINNS MP 
NSW LABOR LEADER

JOHN GRAHAM MLC
NSW MINISTER FOR NIGHT TIME ECONOMY 

PAUL SCULLY MP 
NSW SHADOW MINISTER FOR PLANNING & PUBLIC SPACES GREG WARREN MP
NSW SHADOW MINISTER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT