NSW's First Special Entertainment Precinct

Tamworth is set to become the first regional centre in New South Wales to trial Special Entertainment Precincts (SEPs), reinforcing its reputation as Australia’s Country Music Capital and a leading destination for live entertainment, events and nightlife.

The 12-month trial will commence on 24 August 2026, establishing two Special Entertainment Precincts in Tamworth – the Tamworth CBD and the Tamworth Sports and Entertainment precinct. Special Entertainment Precincts are designated areas where tailored trading hours and sound management arrangements support live performance, encourage business investment, reduce regulatory barriers and foster vibrant, safe and diverse night-time economies.

The trials follow extensive community, local business and government agency consultation as well as the adoption of the planning proposal and supporting documents by Council in June 2026. NSW Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said: “Tamworth is famous for its music and nightlife during the country music festival, this will help locals boost vibrancy all year round.

“Congratulations to the Tamworth Regional Council for leading the charge and becoming the first regional city to establish a Special Entertainment Precinct, we know others will soon follow suite. “To see these precincts roll out in regional settings demonstrates how versatile this model is, where local councils decide where to boost entertainment and hospitality and we cut the red tape that allows them to do it.”

Tamworth Regional Council Team Leader – Strategic Planning, Mitch Gillogly said Tamworth's trial would help shape how Special Entertainment Precincts could work across regional Australia. "Tamworth is uniquely positioned to lead this trial as the first regional city in NSW to trial a Special Entertainment Precinct.

“Unlike other precincts established to date, Tamworth's trial includes two distinct entertainment areas, recognising both our vibrant CBD, which is synonymous with live music and the Tamworth Country Music Festival, and our Sports and Entertainment Precinct, which hosts major concerts, equine and sporting events.

"This trial will provide valuable insights into how Special Entertainment Precincts can support regional economies, encourage investment in live entertainment, and create vibrant, safe destinations while balancing the needs of local communities,” Mr Gillogly said. Importantly, the trial also provides greater clarity for residents, businesses and visitors around how entertainment sound is managed.

The Special Entertainment Precinct trials establish clear, measurable sound limits and development controls, creating greater certainty for both venue operators and nearby residents. Residents will continue to have avenues to raise concerns about entertainment noise, with clear processes in place through venue operators, Council and Liquor & Gaming NSW. The trial aims to encourage collaboration and early resolution of issues while ensuring appropriate compliance and enforcement measures remain available when required.

The trial will run for 12 months, during which Council will monitor outcomes and gather feedback from businesses, residents and visitors. Findings from the trial will help inform any future decision about making the precincts permanent.

Council is encouraging community members and local businesses to share feedback throughout the trial via the Have Your Say page: https://haveyoursay.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/special entertainment-precincts

The announcement comes as Tamworth Regional Council was recently named as a recipient of NSW Government Purple Flag Readiness Grant funding, which supports councils in developing internationally recognised, safe and vibrant night-time precincts. The $80,000 in grant funding, delivered by the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, will assist Tamworth to explore future Purple Flag accreditation within its Special Entertainment Precinct trial areas and further strengthen the city's night-time economy credentials.

Tamworth Regional Council received $200,000 in funding through the NSW Government's Special Entertainment Precinct Kickstart Grant Program to help develop the trial SEPs.