Goulburn CBD Special Entertainment Precinct - Pre Trial Engagement

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Goulburn Mulwaree Council are seeking to establish a Special Entertainment Precinct which covers the Goulburn Central Business District. Council has begun the process of engaging with interested people and those affected to set up an initial 12-month trial of the Precinct.


The project is supported by:

A Precinct Management Plan (PMP) which sets out trading hours, compliance and compliant processes, clarifies the role of stakeholders and presents sound category areas alongside external and internal sound controls.

Goulburn CBD Special Entertainment Precinct Development Control Plan Policies (DCP) which prescribe sound related requirements for new and modified entertainment venues and overnight accommodation (sensitive receivers).

A Sound Management Framework prepared by an acoustic consultant which provides the background acoustic data which has informed proposed sound controls.

Council is seeking your input into the proposed sound controls and trading hours which will guide sound management over the trial period through an initial consultation phase.

The Pre-trial community consultation will run from Friday 7th November 2025 until Friday 28th November 2025. Additional community and stakeholder consultation will be undertaken subsequent to a Gateway determination.


How to contribute to the Project

  • Complete the survey at the bottom of this page
  • Send an email to Council@goulburn.nsw.gov.au including reference: Goulburn CBD SEP
  • Visit the drop-in exhibition at the Civic Centre Foyer (184 Bourke Street) and complete a comment card.
  • Write a letter and send it to: Goulburn Mulwaree Council, Locked Bag 22, Goulburn, NSW, 2580, including reference: Goulburn CBD SEP


What will it do?

The SEP will establish fixed, measurable sound limits for entertainment venues (measured at an external boundary) and internal noise limits for new and extended residential development and hotel and motel accommodation within and close to the Precinct.

This differs from the current approach where the assessment of noise disturbance complaints relates to whether the sound is considered “offensive”.

The trading hours and sound criteria set out in the Precinct Management Plan and Development Control Plan policy supersede those on any existing development consent


What won’t it do?

  • Won’t apply to sound disturbance from activity on the street
  • Won’t apply to sound coming from non-entertainment venues such as shops and residences
  • Won’t apply to mechanical sound such as ventilation equipment
  • Won’t apply to sound from roads or the railway
  • Won't require structural upgrades or sound attenuation measures to existing dwellings


Where will it apply?

The Goulburn CBD Core which spans from Bradley Street to Clinton Street, Sloane Street to Bourke Street and includes the Goulburn Bowling Club and the Hume Conservatorium. A map of the Goulburn CBD Special Entertainment Precinct is presented in the Precinct Management Plan, Development Control Plan Policy and in the figure below:


Where has the boundary come from?

The boundary has been informed by the Goulburn CBD Special Entertainment Precinct Working Group and the acoustic consultant preparing the sound controls, the Working Group consisted of:

  • Goulburn Mulwaree Councillors
  • NSW Police
  • Goulburn Chamber of Commerce (now Business 2580)
  • Representatives of licensed venues and venues with live performances.


What are the benefits?

  • Establishes Goulburn CBD as an area where entertainment and live performances are supported and encouraged
  • Specific fixed sound limits provide certainty to venue operators and the public
  • Reduced liquor licensing fees when venues include live entertainment
  • A 1-2 hour trading extension on nights with live performances (licensing only)
  • An established sound complaints process
  • Future residents in proximity are given forewarning of the SEP and applicable sound limits to be expected.
  • Reduces land use conflict issues


What are the proposed Trading Hours for the Precinct?

The Precinct Management Plan (PMP) sets out trading hours for all venues within the Precinct.

The Goulburn CBD Special Entertainment Precinct removes all trading hour restrictions from all premises within the precinct. This enables all premises to choose their own trading hours without requiring Council consent, ensuring consistency between venues and simplicity in interpretation and application of trading hours beyond those previously enjoyed.

For clarity Trading Hours which apply to the Goulburn CBD Special Entertainment Precinct are:

24 hour Trading Monday to Sunday.


What are the proposed sound controls for entertainment venues in the Precinct?

Three sound category areas (SCA1, SCA2 and SCA3) have been assigned to different parts of the Precinct which reflect different sound limits at different times of the day, evening and night.

The sound category areas define the permissible and measurable external sound limits applicable to entertainment venues, as measured from an external boundary.

The higher sound limits (SCA1) follow central CBD streets where our entertainment venues are located, with an intermediary limit (SCA2) set for areas between venues and the edge of the Precinct and the lowest sound limit (SCA3) assigned to the residential interface.

These sound category areas seek to balance a vibrant entertainment scene whilst balancing a reasonable level of amenity for residences and overnight visitors within and on the edge of the Precinct.

The sound category areas and the applicable sound limits for entertainment venues are presented in the Precinct Management Plan, Development Control Plan Policy and in the figures below:

Sound Category Areas

External Sound Category Sound Limits


What are the proposed sound controls for Sensitive Receivers in and adjacent the Precinct?

Sensitives receivers are defined as residential accommodation (including aged care) and overnight accommodation such as hotels and motels within and adjacent the Precinct.

In addition to sound limits for external entertainment sound emitters, sound thresholds have also been applied for new and modified sensitive receiver development which accord with the sound category areas presented above.

The sound management criteria for sensitive receivers relates to internal sound levels measurable in habitable rooms. The internal sound threshold should not be exceeded in new or extended development.

The internal sound thresholds for sensitive receivers aim to ensure a reasonable level of amenity in living and sleeping spaces whilst accounting for the maximum sound emission levels of assigned sound category areas.

The applicable internal sound thresholds for sensitive receivers are presented below:

Internal Sound Category Sound Thresholds

What are potential impacts?

  • Potential costs around additional sound attenuation measures to ensure sound limits are not exceeded.


Goulburn Mulwaree Council are seeking to establish a Special Entertainment Precinct which covers the Goulburn Central Business District. Council has begun the process of engaging with interested people and those affected to set up an initial 12-month trial of the Precinct.


The project is supported by:

A Precinct Management Plan (PMP) which sets out trading hours, compliance and compliant processes, clarifies the role of stakeholders and presents sound category areas alongside external and internal sound controls.

Goulburn CBD Special Entertainment Precinct Development Control Plan Policies (DCP) which prescribe sound related requirements for new and modified entertainment venues and overnight accommodation (sensitive receivers).

A Sound Management Framework prepared by an acoustic consultant which provides the background acoustic data which has informed proposed sound controls.

Council is seeking your input into the proposed sound controls and trading hours which will guide sound management over the trial period through an initial consultation phase.

The Pre-trial community consultation will run from Friday 7th November 2025 until Friday 28th November 2025. Additional community and stakeholder consultation will be undertaken subsequent to a Gateway determination.


How to contribute to the Project

  • Complete the survey at the bottom of this page
  • Send an email to Council@goulburn.nsw.gov.au including reference: Goulburn CBD SEP
  • Visit the drop-in exhibition at the Civic Centre Foyer (184 Bourke Street) and complete a comment card.
  • Write a letter and send it to: Goulburn Mulwaree Council, Locked Bag 22, Goulburn, NSW, 2580, including reference: Goulburn CBD SEP


What will it do?

The SEP will establish fixed, measurable sound limits for entertainment venues (measured at an external boundary) and internal noise limits for new and extended residential development and hotel and motel accommodation within and close to the Precinct.

This differs from the current approach where the assessment of noise disturbance complaints relates to whether the sound is considered “offensive”.

The trading hours and sound criteria set out in the Precinct Management Plan and Development Control Plan policy supersede those on any existing development consent


What won’t it do?

  • Won’t apply to sound disturbance from activity on the street
  • Won’t apply to sound coming from non-entertainment venues such as shops and residences
  • Won’t apply to mechanical sound such as ventilation equipment
  • Won’t apply to sound from roads or the railway
  • Won't require structural upgrades or sound attenuation measures to existing dwellings


Where will it apply?

The Goulburn CBD Core which spans from Bradley Street to Clinton Street, Sloane Street to Bourke Street and includes the Goulburn Bowling Club and the Hume Conservatorium. A map of the Goulburn CBD Special Entertainment Precinct is presented in the Precinct Management Plan, Development Control Plan Policy and in the figure below:


Where has the boundary come from?

The boundary has been informed by the Goulburn CBD Special Entertainment Precinct Working Group and the acoustic consultant preparing the sound controls, the Working Group consisted of:

  • Goulburn Mulwaree Councillors
  • NSW Police
  • Goulburn Chamber of Commerce (now Business 2580)
  • Representatives of licensed venues and venues with live performances.


What are the benefits?

  • Establishes Goulburn CBD as an area where entertainment and live performances are supported and encouraged
  • Specific fixed sound limits provide certainty to venue operators and the public
  • Reduced liquor licensing fees when venues include live entertainment
  • A 1-2 hour trading extension on nights with live performances (licensing only)
  • An established sound complaints process
  • Future residents in proximity are given forewarning of the SEP and applicable sound limits to be expected.
  • Reduces land use conflict issues


What are the proposed Trading Hours for the Precinct?

The Precinct Management Plan (PMP) sets out trading hours for all venues within the Precinct.

The Goulburn CBD Special Entertainment Precinct removes all trading hour restrictions from all premises within the precinct. This enables all premises to choose their own trading hours without requiring Council consent, ensuring consistency between venues and simplicity in interpretation and application of trading hours beyond those previously enjoyed.

For clarity Trading Hours which apply to the Goulburn CBD Special Entertainment Precinct are:

24 hour Trading Monday to Sunday.


What are the proposed sound controls for entertainment venues in the Precinct?

Three sound category areas (SCA1, SCA2 and SCA3) have been assigned to different parts of the Precinct which reflect different sound limits at different times of the day, evening and night.

The sound category areas define the permissible and measurable external sound limits applicable to entertainment venues, as measured from an external boundary.

The higher sound limits (SCA1) follow central CBD streets where our entertainment venues are located, with an intermediary limit (SCA2) set for areas between venues and the edge of the Precinct and the lowest sound limit (SCA3) assigned to the residential interface.

These sound category areas seek to balance a vibrant entertainment scene whilst balancing a reasonable level of amenity for residences and overnight visitors within and on the edge of the Precinct.

The sound category areas and the applicable sound limits for entertainment venues are presented in the Precinct Management Plan, Development Control Plan Policy and in the figures below:

Sound Category Areas

External Sound Category Sound Limits


What are the proposed sound controls for Sensitive Receivers in and adjacent the Precinct?

Sensitives receivers are defined as residential accommodation (including aged care) and overnight accommodation such as hotels and motels within and adjacent the Precinct.

In addition to sound limits for external entertainment sound emitters, sound thresholds have also been applied for new and modified sensitive receiver development which accord with the sound category areas presented above.

The sound management criteria for sensitive receivers relates to internal sound levels measurable in habitable rooms. The internal sound threshold should not be exceeded in new or extended development.

The internal sound thresholds for sensitive receivers aim to ensure a reasonable level of amenity in living and sleeping spaces whilst accounting for the maximum sound emission levels of assigned sound category areas.

The applicable internal sound thresholds for sensitive receivers are presented below:

Internal Sound Category Sound Thresholds

What are potential impacts?

  • Potential costs around additional sound attenuation measures to ensure sound limits are not exceeded.


Page last updated: 20 Jan 2026, 10:11 AM