Entertainment License

Commencing on 26 October 2009 there will be a simpler and fairer approval system for live entertainment that will replace the place of public entertainment licensing system which has been removed. As part of the changes the term ‘place of public entertainment’ (POPE) will be removed from relevant planning legislation.

The changes mean that pubs, restaurants, registered clubs and other venues do not need development consent to provide live, or any other form of, entertainment that is part of the venue’s main business.

The new system will operate as follows:

• POPE licences are no longer needed – venues can have live entertainment as part of their main business without the need for separate approval. Entertainment should now be considered as part of normal activities of pubs, restaurants and registered clubs.
• For new venues, the provision of live entertainment will be considered as part of the development application.
• POPE licences and conditions will no longer have effect from 26 October 2009. However, the conditions on a venue’s liquor licence and development consent will remain in force. Where necessary, the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing will consider proposals for the application of new liquor licence conditions to regulate security, trading hours, patron numbers and other matters at venues.
• Venues can still apply to the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing to modify liquor licence conditions, and to local council to amend development consents.

- NSW Department of Planning

For more information please see local planning circular PS 09–028 – Planning for entertainment