Newcastle council will hold an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday night as the NSW government hastily rearranges planning rules to start its trial of new liquor-trading laws.
The Newcastle Herald understands councillors will be asked to endorse a State Environmental Planning Policy amendment by Planning Minister Rob Stokes which would temporarily override council consent conditions for the venues taking part in the six-month trial.
The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment would then run two weeks of community consultation and approve changes to the council's Local Environment Plan before the trial starts on October 1.
It is understood about 20 bars and restaurants will take part in the trial, which will allow small bars to open until 2am serving a wider variety of drinks than are allowed under Newcastle's late-night trading restrictions.
Restaurants in the trial will be able to stay open until midnight serving stronger drinks such as cocktails.
The LEP changes will cover the later closing times and a statement of regulatory intent by Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello will allow the change to drink limits.
The council's expected endorsement of the planning changes and support of the trial in "low-risk" venues are consistent with its submission to the 2018 Horton review and its "After Dark" strategy.
Lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes has written to inner-city bars and restaurants inviting them to apply before Tuesday's council meeting to take part in the trial.
Police, doctors, nurses and paramedics have opposed any move to weaken the so-called "Newcastle Solution" trading laws.
Greens councillor John Mackenzie said the council had had "limited opportunity" to contribute to the government-appointed committee overseeing the trial, though Cr Nelmes is a member.
"At a minimum, I would expect local residents to be represented on the committee, given how divisive the issue of alcohol management has been in the city for decades," Cr Mackenzie said.
"From a governance perspective, I would expect that the terms of reference of the committee to be made publicly available and for the methodology for the trial to be made clear.
"We don't know what data is actually being gathered in this trial, or how it will be used."
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