16 News

The success of the Minns Labor Government’s outdoor dining reforms continues to grow, with more than 580 businesses across the state making the most of the relaxed rules to host patrons outside their venues.

As part of its vibrancy reforms* that have been rolled out since 2023, the Minns Government streamlined processes for venues to apply for permanent outdoor dining which has led to a booming alfresco and outdoor event scene.

Some of the approvals have been for one-off events, such as festivals and markets, in addition to the 380 ongoing outdoor dining approvals across the state for footpaths, roads and other land adjoining venues to be turned into entertainment spaces.

The NSW Government has continued to save hospitality venues time and money by abolishing the $121 application fee to reapply for temporary approvals to use their outdoor space, as part of the third tranche of vibrancy reforms that came into effect in January 2026.

Hospitality businesses wishing to use footpaths and public spaces can now apply through their local council, which will notify Liquor & Gaming NSW as part of the streamlined approval process.

Previously, businesses had to apply for a development application through councils and then go through another 30-day consultation process with Liquor & Gaming NSW.

The government has also scrapped rules that prevented patrons from standing while drinking outside licensed premises, with more than 420 venues with temporary outdoor dining approvals on footpaths and roads benefitting from the change.

Venues wanting to take advantage of outdoor dining or make the provision permanent, go to: https://www.nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/liquor-and-gaming/liquor-licensing/apply-manage/change-liquor-licence-boundaries

Advice is also available through the Hospitality Concierge service, which can help with streamlined application processes and assist businesses and local councils to navigate the liquor licensing, planning and regulatory changes introduced through the Vibrancy Reforms.

Access the Hospitality Concierge here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/dciths/liquor-gaming-nsw/contact-us/hospitality-concierge

Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said:

“Raise your glasses! To have 580 more businesses embracing outdoor dining is a great result for NSW and a clear sign that the former government had tangled these businesses up in too much costly red tape.

“This is a great example of the way we’re cutting red tape and reducing costs for business to bring the fun back to Sydney.

“In the most beautiful city on earth, with great weather all year round, it was almost criminal to let red tape stop us from embracing outdoor dining.

“When you combine the increased outdoor dining, the big boost in live music venues and the rising number of special entertainment precincts – you can see that we’re leaving the lockout era well and truly behind.”

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“It’s wonderful to have all these great new alfresco dining and entertainment options at bars, clubs and restaurants for people to enjoy while they’re out and about across our great state.

“Venue owners are embracing these Vibrancy Reforms that are making it easier to make the most of their space, add value to their offer and increase revenue.

“It’s great to see the positive impacts for premises and patrons alike, while boosting employment opportunities and the NSW economy.”

Business Sydney CEO Paul Nicolaou said:

“The Minns Government deserves credit for these practical reforms that are helping hospitality businesses thrive.

“By cutting red tape and making it easier for venues to activate outdoor spaces, the government is supporting cafes, bars and restaurants to welcome more customers and create vibrant street life across our communities.

“These changes are a real boost for the hospitality and tourism sectors. Outdoor dining enhances the visitor experience, encourages people to stay longer and spend more, and helps create the lively atmosphere that makes our cities and neighbourhoods attractive destinations for both locals and visitors.”

The Point* Group CEO Brett Robinson said:

“Since opening, The International and our nearby venue The Shell House have played a role in shaping the CBD’s dining culture and we are always looking to elevate the guest experience.

“The updates to both venues allow us to create more alfresco moments for people to enjoy.

“We are thrilled about these developments, which allow us to provide more outdoor dining at The International and standing options for patrons at the Shell House and see this as an opportunity to further energise the CBD, paving the way for a lively dining landscape of a global standard similar to big international cities like London.”

*Vibrancy reforms

The first tranche of Vibrancy Reforms in December 2023 delivered improvements that:

• Ended single noise complaints from shutting down pubs and other licensed venues
• Made it easier to activate streets for festivals and events (Open Streets program) and a regulatory model that allows streamlined approvals for repeat events (Permit, Plug, Play)
• Expanded Special Entertainment Precincts that empower local councils to change the rules around noise and opening hours in a designated area to support live entertainment and nightlife
• Increased incentives for live music and live performance, with two hours extended trading and an 80% reduction in liquor licence fees for licensed venues offering live music and performance
• Created easier pathways for extended trading hours for major events like the Olympics and World Cups.

The second tranche of reforms in October 2024 included:

• Scrapping baffling restrictions on the development consents for licensed venues that included “no entertainment” clauses or dictated what genre of music or even how many musicians could play
• Requiring property buyers to be notified that they are moving into an existing entertainment zone to protect the intent of Special Entertainment Precincts and reduce the friction between venues and their neighbours
• Ending the antiquated rule that prevents people living within 5km of a registered club from signing in without first becoming a member
• Amending the Major Events Act to make it easier to support foundational events like Sydney Festival and Vivid Sydney
• Empowering the Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy to refer live music and performance venues with legitimate disputes to mediation.

The third tranche of reforms that passed the NSW Parliament in October 2025 included (timings are November 2025 to various times in 2026):

• Adding an exemption allowing licensees and venue staff limited discretion to permit an intoxicated person to remain on a licensed premise if they require medical care or require transport home, rather than being evicted
• Making it easier for the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority to revoke a competency card where an individual is not considered ‘fit and proper’, or where the person has committed a prescribed sexual offence or other relevant offence
• Further enabling the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority to cancel a liquor licence if a licensee has failed to create a safe working environment
• Changes to live music incentives:
• Expanding the timeframes for eligible performances to qualify for live music incentives to allow more flexibility from 6pm on weeknights and from midday on weekends in all live music venues, rather than 8pm
• Changing the criteria from two performances per week to 10 performances per month for venues in metropolitan areas, encouraging more performances while offering more flexibility about when it happens
• Making it easier for regional venues to qualify for the incentive by allowing them to count live performances over an annual basis rather than monthly, recognising that programming in regional areas can be irregular due to seasonality and artist availability
• Changing the requirement for regional venues to have a ‘dedicated space’ for performances to a ‘space that is predominantly or frequently used’ for live music.
• Supporting outdoor dining and alfresco activation by removing the requirement for liquor to be sold in ‘sealed’ containers for restaurants and small bars that are already authorised to sell takeaway liquor, so that customers may consume alcohol in legally permissible areas, such as plazas or outdoor alfresco areas shared by restaurants and businesses
• Enabling clubs to host events away from their main club location, such as community events in conjunction with sporting organisations and other groups
• Supporting tourism by expanding the Special Event Extended Trading to allow for 24 hours prior to the event, recognising the attendees who travel to events will often arrive the day before
• Allowing venues that offer primary entertainment of pool tables or juke boxes to apply for an on-premises liquor licence
• Removing the ‘midnight’ restriction for temporary boundary extensions for footpaths and roads meaning licensed venues can participate in late night events, subject to council approval for late night outdoor dining. 

The Minns Labor Government has extended the No Interest Loan Scheme (“the NIL Scheme”) and Aged-Care Supported Accommodation (“the ASCA Program”) in two major steps towards alleviating financial stress for low-income households across NSW.

The Government has committed $21.5 million in funding to administer the NIL Scheme for another five years, continuing its long history of providing fee and interest-free loans to low-income earners since its establishment in 1981.

The NIL Scheme helps eligible applicants to borrow up to $2,000 for appliances, furniture, car repairs or medical expenses, or up to $3,000 for housing-related expenses such as rental bonds or recovering from a natural disaster.

With cost-of-living pressures putting the squeeze on many households, the NIL Scheme helps individuals and family who need it most by helping them avoid harmful or high-cost credit programs for crucial items. Over the 2023-24 financial year, the program provided a record number of 13,485 loans.

Families with dependents collectively earning $100,000 each year, or singles earning $70,000 each year, are eligible for a NIL Scheme loan.

The NIL Scheme also provides financial relief for those who have experienced family or domestic violence in the last 10 years, as well as people living on a pension. In a further boost, the Government will also fund the ASCA Program from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2031 at a total of more than $8.5 million.

The ASCA Program supports not-for-profit organisations which empower older residents living in retirement villages, boarding houses and nursing homes.

These organisations help by giving guidance on older residents’ rights under the Retirement Villages Act 1999 and the Residential Tenancies Act 2010, including representation at tribunal hearings and assisting with resolving disputes. In the last financial year, 4,849 individuals received legal services or community support through the ACSA Program.

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to ease cost-of-living pressures on young people, families and downsizers.

For more information on the NIL Scheme, please visit: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/find-a-no-interest-loans-scheme-nils-provider

For more information on the ASCA Program, please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/aged-care-supported-accommodation-program-acsap

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“We understand the pressure households in every corner of NSW are facing – whether they need to replace a stove, or a fridge, or are just trying to get help securing a new rental property.

“The No Interest Loan Scheme protects vulnerable people from turning to high interest, predatorial borrowing schemes which can lead down a slippery slope of debt.

“These programs have a long history of supporting the people who need it most, including older residents and domestic violence victim-survivors – and we’re proud to be continuing this legacy.”

NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said:

“NILS serves to protect vulnerable consumers from predatorial loan practices which might take advantage of them and their inability to reconcile their loans quickly.

“By offering this alternative, consumers can safely obtain items for the household or key medical procedures while safeguarding their financial wellbeing and independence.”

NSW Rental Commissioner Trina Jones said:

“Most of users of the No Interest Loans Scheme are renters and by using these types of loans which don’t garner interest they can offset their expenses and use money to pay rent and avoid homelessness.

“NILS is an important scheme for vulnerable people renting homes allowing them another way to navigate their expenses so they don’t fall into a deeper cycle of debt.”

The Minns Labor Government is well on the way to delivering more secure rental housing for East Lismore with 50 new build to rent homes now rising out of the ground.

Construction has progressed rapidly since breaking ground in November. With foundations now laid, the focus has shifted to the main building structures. 

The project is the first of its kind in the region and is being delivered by the NSW Government’s developer, Landcom. Importantly, more than 20 percent of the homes will be dedicated to affordable housing for residents on low-to-moderate incomes.

The development will boost Lismore’s housing diversity by offering a range of floorplans – from studios to three-bedroom apartments – to suit different lifestyle needs. Residents will be close to shops, schools, Southern Cross University, and local parklands.

Under the build-to-rent model, the NSW Government will retain ownership of the property, to ensure long-term rental security, with the site managed by a specialist operator.

Weather permitting construction is expected to be complete by late 2026. Planning is also progressing for the adjoining site redevelopment, which will unlock at least 400 additional homes for the Lismore community.

The Development Application for Stage 1 (100 homes) is expected to be lodged with Lismore City Council before the end of March 2026. This broader precinct will feature a variety of housing options, including specific lots designed to accommodate homes relocated through the buyback auction program.

The regional Build-to-rent program was funded in the Minns Labor Government’s first budget and is also building 60 new build-to-rent homes on the NSW South Coast.

This Regional Build-to-Rent program builds on the Minns Labor Government’s recent reforms to speed up the delivery of more homes and make housing more secure for regional NSW, including:

• The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee to get housing construction underway faster.
• The development of the NSW Pattern Book and accelerated planning pathway for those who use the pre-approved patterns.
• A $6.6 billion investment in social and affordable housing in NSW.
• Once in a generation reforms to the State’s planning legislation.
• Greater protections for renters including a cap on rent rises, banning no-grounds evictions and a crackdown on real estate agents.

This is all part of the Minns Government’s plan to build a better NSW with more homes and services, so people have somewhere to live and in the communities they choose.

For more information about Lismore please visit:  https://landcom.com.au/eastlismore

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“The availability and affordability of housing is one of the biggest issues facing NSW residents, and Lismore and the wider Northern Rivers region are doing it particularly tough.

“Projects like this designed specifically for renters help fill a gap in the housing market, opening up a mix of smaller homes suitable for different lifestyles.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The Lismore build to rent project is a great example of the Minns Labor Government delivering new housing options for Lismore in a way the community has never seen before.

“Once complete each of these apartments will provide a secure home that is close to shops, services, education and open space.”

Minister for the North Coast and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:

“It is fantastic to see these 50 new homes literally rising out of the ground, delivering beautifully designed, modern apartments in a prime location safely above the flood zone.

“The Lismore community has shown incredible resilience, but we are building back better by ensuring our residents have access to the affordable, secure, and resilient housing they deserve for the future.”

Landcom CEO Alex Wendler said:

“Landcom is making homes happen for the people of Lismore.

“As Landcom marks 50 years of delivering housing for NSW, we’re proud to see strong momentum with our projects in the Northern Rivers which will deliver diverse and affordable housing where it’s needed.”

Construction of the new Batemans Bay Community Health project has reached a significant milestone with the major concrete pour completed, setting the foundations for the new health facility.

The Minns Labor Government is investing $20 million to deliver a modern and purpose-built community health service to support communities across the Batemans Bay area.

The new health facility will be located on the existing Batemans Bay Hospital site next to the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, providing the community with convenient access to both health services.

Approximately 30 concrete trucks were used to deliver 200 cubic metres of concrete to the site to complete the pour, which paves the way for construction of the building’s framework.

Batemans Bay Community Health Service will provide improved access to a range of health services in one location, including:

• Allied health services
• Child, youth and family services
• Women’s health and sexual health services
• Community nursing, wound management
• Palliative care
• Aboriginal health services
• Alcohol and other drugs services
• Specialist outpatient clinics
• Pathology

Construction for the new health facility is expected to be completed in late 2026.

Batemans Bay Hospital will continue to provide healthcare services for the community while the Batemans Bay Community Health and the new $330 million Eurobodalla Regional Hospital are being built. Every effort is being made to minimise disruption to residents, staff, patients and visitors.  

The Minns Labor Government is also investing $24 million to attract and retain healthcare workers in Southern NSW by delivering more key health worker housing.

This investment is part of a broader $200.1 million Key Health Worker Accommodation program that is delivering housing for staff across NSW.

The community will continue to be updated about the redevelopment’s progress with information available on the project website.  

To find out more visit www.hinfra.health.nsw.gov.au/projects/project-search/batemans-bay-healthcare-facility or contact the project team on 1300 391 949 or at HI-BatemansBayhealth@health.nsw.gov.au

Regional Health, Ryan Park:   

“This is a significant step forward in delivering world-class health facilities and services for communities across the south coast.

“The new Batemans Bay Community Health service will use the latest technology and models of care to deliver a range of out of hospital community health services in one convenient location.

“We are investing in the health services this growing region needs. Once complete, the Batemans Bay Community Health facility and the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital will provide care for south coast communities for generations to come.

Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland: 

“Batemans Bay Community Health is being planned and designed to work together with the new $330 million Eurobodalla Regional Hospital, as part of the networked Eurobodalla Health Service, to provide the community with greater access to healthcare, closer to home.

“The professional and caring staff at Batemans Bay Community Health are looking forward to having the latest fit-for-purpose facilities with dedicated staff areas so they can provide the best possible care to our community in an improved working environment. This is a great outcome for our patients, our staff and our community” 

The Minns Labor Government’s chronic failures on public education were on full display at today’s Budget Estimates hearings.
 
Under the Minns Labor Government, school enrolments have fallen every year. This repeats the overall fall over the 16 years of the previous Labor Government, compared with an overall increase that occurred under Liberal-National Governments.
 
While the Minns Labor Government has a 2034 target for public schools’ share of enrolments, it failed today to rule out further falls in the next few years and, worryingly, could cite no interim targets to address the ongoing decline.
 
The Government is in denial about causes of the decline in public school enrolments. Despite the best efforts of hard-working teachers, in a cost-of-living crisis – parents are increasingly choosing to pay for private education, concerned about the quality of education, student outcomes, classroom behaviour and discipline.
 
The Government has trumpeted its “Inspire high potential and gifted education” program as one solution. However, it’s clear this is mere window dressing. Instead, it’s a piecemeal “program”,  with only eight schools having extension classes, and many, if not most schools, missing out on having any academic enrichment offerings at all and no guarantee of the scale or nature of any offering at any public school.
 
Amidst massive, planned population increases through its transport-oriented developments (TODs), there is also no vision for essential school infrastructure, with the government. However, it has failed failing to identify and secure any new school sites. The Government has also not done other essential work, failing so far to do schools modelling and allocation of funds for increased enrolments.
 
Failing to plan is planning to fail. The Minns Labor Government is failing NSW students and families by neglecting the basic planning necessary to make the right investments in education to ensure a world-class education system.