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PoPES Become Entertainment Venues |
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John Rigney, Director of our Sydney Office, reports that, effective from the 26 October 2009, NSW legislation has been amended with the inclusion of the terminology “Entertainment Venue” to replace the previous “Place of Public Entertainment” (PoPE) terminology and the related PoPE licensing system.
The intention of these amendments is to facilitate the use of live entertainment at pubs, restaurants and registered clubs around NSW by removing unnecessary regulation in particular the previous need for development consent and PoPE licensing, while at the same time retaining appropriate safeguards for public amenity and safety.
As such, in lieu of a wide range of entertainment uses previously captured under the old PoPE regulations, the new definition of ‘Entertainment Venue’, in place of the old PoPE terminology, together with the existing related provisions within the NSW Variations in the BCA are now applicable to a much narrower range of uses being:
- Cinemas;
- Theatres;
- Concert Halls;
- Indoor Sports Stadiums.
Accordingly PoPE licences are no longer required for pubs, restaurants and registered clubs around NSW as long as the live entertainment is supplementary to their main business and does not change the principal use of the venue. Such venues are no longer required to undertake expensive upgrades to have live music. However, the conditions on a venue’s development consent and liquor licence remain in force. Similarly, for new venues, PoPE licences will not have to be applied for as live entertainment will be covered in their development applications.
Further information is available on the Department of Planning's website at www.planning.nsw.gov.au by following the links under The Planning System tab to Circulars and Guidelines, then to Planning System Circulars and then to Circular PS 09-028.
www.planning.nsw.gov.au by following the links under The Planning System tab to Circulars and Guidelines, then to Planning System Circulars and then to Circular PS 09-028.
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PoPES Become Entertainment Venues 
