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With NSW finally about to relax some of the restrictive laws that govern Sydney’s night-time entertainment, the state government may now find time to look at the city’s dwindling water supply, which may reach “emergency levels” by May.

Premier Gladys Berejikian said the NSW Government would extend trading hours for Sydney venues and bottle shops and relax after-midnight drink rules – though not in Kings Cross.

The changes are to be introduced from January. The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that efforts to revive Sydney’s night-life and live music scene may go further. The paper said the Labor opposition is drafting a bill which has gained “in-principle support from the Berejiklian government”, which would make it impossible for liquor licences to prevent venues hosting live music.

Berejiklian said the existing restrictions, known popularly as “lockout laws”, introduced five years ago in a bid to stem night-time violence, had undoubtedly made Sydney safer, but now was the right time for change in the CBD, particularly with light rail services commencing soon.

Lockout laws have been blamed for destroying Sydney’s nightlife. Following their introduction, pedestrian traffic dropped by 40% in Kings Cross (once the city’s premier nightspot), falling from a Saturday peak of 5590 people per hour between 1am and 2am in 2010, to a Saturday peak of 3888 between 12am and 1am in 2015.

Industry groups have claimed an 80% reduction in foot traffic through Kings Cross. The precinct is rapidly gentrifying and may lose its raffish, larrikin image.

“Sydney has transformed dramatically over recent years, and we need to ensure we have a strong and vibrant night-time economy that reflects our position as Australia’s only truly global city,” Berejiklian said.

“Following a detailed review of the Joint Select Committee’s recommendations, we will implement changes over summer to ensure Sydney has a thriving, safe and diverse night life that can be enjoyed by all.

“While the extended trading hours will provide a boost for the night-time economy, community safety will always be a focus.”

The following changes will occur from 14 January 2020:

  • Remove 1.30am last entry for all venues in the Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct, including those on Oxford Street.
  • Remove restrictions on serving cocktails, shots and drinks in glass after midnight in this precinct.
  • Extend ‘last drinks’ at venues with good records in this precinct by 30 minutes.
  • Extend bottle shop opening hours across NSW until midnight from Monday to Saturday, with 11pm closing on Sunday.
  • Increase small bar patron capacity from 100 to 120 across NSW.

Existing restrictions will be maintained in the Kings Cross precinct.

MEANWHILE, a water crisis, of the type that recently threatened Cape Town, may be looming for Sydney.

The New South Wales government was warned six months ago that Sydney’s water storage levels could be at “emergency levels” by next May unless it started planning immediately.

A cabinet-in-confidence document prepared by WaterNSW warns that storage levels could fall to 40% by Christmas and are likely to reach what are considered emergency levels – about 35% and falling – by mid-next year if the coming summer is hot and dry, the Guardian has revealed.

While Sydney’s population has swelled through immigration and natural increase, Sydney’s water storage has plunged from 96% full in April 2017 to about 45% now. The total is falling by about 1% every two weeks, very little rain is falling and the city’s desalination plant can currently supply only about 15% of Sydney’s needs. This can rise to 30% if the plant is fully ramped up.