Manly’s bars and restaurants want late-night trading, but police have concerns

Police have flagged concerns over plans for more late-night dining and nightlife on Sydney’s northern beaches, suggesting businesses that extend their opening hours should have to pay for increased police patrols, amid fears of booze-fuelled behaviour and rowdy crowds.

The Northern Beaches Police Area Command fears plans to establish a new “special entertainment precinct” in Manly will place additional burden on police resources required to respond to late-night antisocial activity.

Kurtis Bosley, owner of Banco in Manly, said placing further operating costs on hospitality venues could undermine the benefits the vibrancy reforms are designed to deliver. Credit: James Brickwood

The establishment of the precinct is part of NSW government vibrancy reforms aimed at reducing red tape for venues by making it easier to offer late-night trading and stage live music performances.

Similar nightlife precincts are planned at other Sydney town centres spanning from Cronulla to Canley Vale and Hornsby, along with regional centres including Byron Bay.

But, in feedback to Northern Beaches Council, which is leading the establishment of the Manly precinct, local police suggested a “user-pays model” may be needed to cover the cost of additional resources required to patrol the area.

The model would be similar to requirements imposed on large music festivals, whose organisers must foot the bill for police presence at events to monitor for drug- and alcohol-related harm.

The special entertainment precinct reforms are expected to launch in Manly next year.Credit: James Brickwood

But some Manly venues have hit back at the proposed user-pays model.

Kurtis Bosley, owner of Manly bar and restaurant Banco, said placing further operating costs on hospitality venues could undermine the benefits the vibrancy reforms are intended to deliver.

Bosley said the increased financial challenges facing the sector had been highlighted by a string of recent business closures, including the Manly Boatshed and Sake Restaurant & Bar at Manly Wharf.

Loading

“If bars and hotels are having to pay more for fees for policing [the reforms] will never take off because the venues will say it’s just too hard and too expensive,” he said.

“Half the venues have closed down in Manly in the last couple of years because the cost of running and operating hospitality is just too hard, and we don’t have any additional funds to put towards anything other than covering our overheads and making sure our staff are paid.”

Australian Hotels Association director of liquor and policing John Green said venues “already pay significant taxes, levies and licence fees” and additional amounts for policing “should not be borne by licensed premises”.

Northern Beaches Council’s night-time strategy, published in 2022, noted that, while public safety in Manly had “improved” since the early 2000s, antisocial behaviour and crime remained an issue around The Corso and the East Esplanade.

In January, about 40 youths were involved in an ugly brawl at Manly Wharf. The fracas erupted at 9pm on a Monday, as the area teemed with diners.

There were 25 recorded assaults at licensed venues in Manly in the 12 months to March, with 12 disorderly conduct incidents and three drug offences in licensed premises, according to data released by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research this month.

In response to questions, NSW Police would not confirm if other commands had proposed user-pays models for their local special entertainment precincts.

Anna Pavoni, owner of Manly bar 55 North by Cibaria, argued the vibrancy reforms could boost public safety in Manly.

“The fact that the council is considering putting Manly as a special entertainment precinct highlights the work that’s been done to overhaul the culture in Manly,” she said, arguing the later opening times “would mean fewer people would be out in public drinking on the beach”.

“It would give somewhere for people to go at night,” she said.

Restaurateur Anna Pavoni believes the vibrancy reforms could boost public safety in Manly.Credit: Edwina Pickles

A year-long trial of the Manly special entertainment precinct will begin in mid-2026. It will include regular monitoring by Northern Beaches Council.

NSW Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham did not directly answer questions about whether he supported the police proposal, but said special entertainment precincts “are all about cutting costs and shredding red tape to allow business and activity to thrive at night, not to add more costs to doing business”.

He added that data from the original Enmore Road special entertainment precinct showed alcohol-related assaults had fallen in the area.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.

Most Viewed in National

Loading