Could a Night Mayor be the answer to Sydney's nightlife debate?
Could a Night Mayor be the answer to Sydney's nightlife debate?
Big cities across Australia are debating how to foster a vibrant nightlife — without compromising public safety, or the rights of local residents to a good night sleep.
The introduction of controversial lock out laws in Sydney in 2014 sparked protests from young people who say the laws have destroyed the city's once vibrant nightlife, forcing bars and clubs to close with the loss of hundreds of jobs.
As a result, the NSW Government has moved to ease the laws this year — despite evidence that the restrictions have reduced the number of alcohol-related assaults in the city.
But the debate about where the balance should lie continues here and around the world.
Some cities like Amsterdam have opted for a novel approach — they've appointed a Night Mayor.
Mirik Milan is the Night Mayor of Amsterdam and he's in Sydney for a forum on how to regenerate cities' economies after dark.
