Late Night Management Areas
Research – Phase 3 Report
December 2013
1.
Summary
1
2.
Introduction
4
3.
4.
Methodology
Literature review
5
6
5.
Pedestrian activity
10
6.
Street activity
16
7.
Land use activity
25
8.
9.
Intercept surveys
Points to consider
31
43
10. Further reading
44
Summary
LNMAR Report
Key findings
1. Summary
Background
This report presents the results of Phase 3 of the Late
Night Management Areas Research (LNMAR) project.
The LNMAR project has been implemented by the City of
Sydney since 2010 to provide information on the nighttime economy (NTE) and support planning and
management of the City at night.
The LNMAR is a valuable tool to monitor the
performance of the NTE, identify areas for improvement
in various precincts, and inform the development of
policies and strategies to improve the NTE in accordance
with the objectives of OPEN Sydney.
The key findings of the various research elements are
summarised as follows:
Literature review

The NTE varies between City precincts as a result
of different attractions, audiences and social scenes.

Intoxication can lead to harm and anti-social
behaviour (ASB). Factors leading to intoxication
include patron age, duration of alcohol consumption,
and pre-loading of consumption.

Hot-spots, hot-times and flashpoints are identified
as spaces and times when a range of factors lead to
an increase in the risk of ASB.

Pedestrian clustering or congregation can increase
the risk of ASB by bringing intoxicated people
together in close proximity – so can competition for
resources including food or transport.

Socially and culturally diverse crowds can help to
‘normalize’ the NTE and enhance informal controls,
reducing the risk of ASB.

Mixed-use zones with diverse economic activity can
help to encourage a diverse range of patrons and a
shift from a mono-culture of young drinkers in the
NTE.

There are a range of design and service
interventions which can improve the NTE including
CCTV, street lighting, toilet provision, glassware
management, and active streetscape and frontages.

Traffic management is an important consideration
for the NTE. Getting people to, around, and home
from NTE areas requires careful planning and
management. Pedestrian movements also need to
be managed to avoid footway congestion and
potential ASB incidents.
Method
The LNMAR project involves three components of data
collection:
Pedestrian activity

Pedestrian counts – number of pedestrian on the
street each hour through the night.


Observation survey – on-street activity including
congregation, footway congestion, anti-social
behaviour, and temporal economic diversity.
The CBD had the highest peak pedestrian counts
(7,052) followed by Kings Cross (3,964) and Oxford
Street (2,948).

All precincts were busiest on Friday, with the
exception of Kings Cross which is busiest on
Saturday.

All precincts were busiest in the evening (5–11pm)
with the exception of Kings Cross and Oxford Street
which are busiest during the night (11pm–2am).

Pedestrian counts were influenced by the land uses
in the precinct:

Intercept surveys – interviews with patrons of the
NTE regarding reasons for visitation, types of
venues visited, methods of travel, times of
departure, demographic profile and place of
residence.
Phase 3 data was collected on Friday 14 and Saturday
22 December 2012 between 5pm–5am.
Data was collected at 84 observation points across three
late night trading precincts of George Street, Oxford
Street and Kings Cross and five of the City’s main
streets: King Street, Crown Street, Glebe Point Road,
Harris Street and Redfern Street.
1
- The CBD was busiest when people are leaving
work (6–8pm Friday).
- Kings Cross, the primary night time entertainment
precinct, was busiest on a Saturday night (11pm–
12am Saturday).
Summary
LNMAR Report

- Newtown, with its numerous restaurants and
takeaways, was busiest in the early evening when
people go out for meals (7–8pm Friday).

Between 12am – 4am the NTE is dominated by
pubs, taverns and bars (28%-31% of all
businesses).
Compared to peak pedestrian counts in 2010, the
2012 survey shows:

The proportion of open retail businesses decreases
through the night, while the proportion of takeaway
food businesses increases.

The CBD has the largest number of businesses
open during the evening (160 open at 6pm) while
Kings Cross has the largest number of businesses
open at night (100 open at 11pm).
- Pedestrian numbers have decreased in the top ten
locations.
- The largest decrease was in the CBD and Kings
Cross late at night (11pm – 2am).
- The CBD was generally busier in the evening but
quieter at night with fewer people staying out late
at night.
Street activity
Intercept survey

In total 987 people took part in the intercept surveys.

Over half (55%) were male (45% female).

In total 1,966 incidents of anti-social behaviour were
recorded across all precincts.

Nearly half (49%) were aged 20-29 years old – a
decrease from 66% in 2010.

Over half (53%) of all incidents were categorised as
less serious incidents, one-third (33%) were nonserious, and less than one-sixth (14%) were serious.

Less than one-fifth (17%) were aged 40 years or
older – an increase from 6% in 2010.


A higher proportion of non-serious incidents occur
during the evening, with serious incidents generally
occurring later in the night.
Over half (55%) of all respondents lived in the City
or Inner South. This is a slight increase on the 2010
survey (40%).


Kings Cross had the highest proportion of serious
incidents (24%) compared to other precincts.
The main reason for visiting the precincts were to
socialise (46%) – a slight decrease compared to
2010 (58%).

For most precincts the peak number of anti-social
behaviour incidents were recorded in the earlier part
of the evening (between 9 – 11pm) with the
exception of Kings Cross (2am), Oxford Street
(12am) and Newtown (12am).

Over half of all respondents interviewed intended to
visit a pub, bar, or nightclub (51%) – a slight
decrease from 55% in 2010.

Close to one-quarter (24%) of respondents intended
to visit a restaurant – an increase from 16% in 2010.

Kings Cross (72%) and Pyrmont (66%) had the
highest proportion of respondents who intended to
visit a pub, bar or nightclub.

Surry Hills (37%) and Newtown (36%) had the
highest proportion of respondents intending to visit a
restaurant.

Over half (54%) of all respondents had consumed,
or intended to consume, an alcoholic drink during
the course of the evening. This was highest in
Newtown (58%) and Oxford Street (57%).

Over half (53%) of all respondents had come to the
precinct straight from home, with under half (44%)
socialising in other areas prior to visiting the precinct
– similar to the 2010 survey (52% and 42%).

Over one-third (36%) of respondents travelled to the
precincts by foot, with over one in five (22%) coming
by rail.

Three-fifths (60%) of respondents were likely to go
home once they had finished socialising in the
precinct, with the other two-thirds (39%) going on to
socialise in other areas – nearly two-fifths of whom
(38%) intended to go to the CBD.

Between 9pm – 4am, a larger number of anti-social
behaviour incidents were recorded in Kings Cross,
compared to all other precincts.

There was more than a 20% chance of witnessing a
serious anti-social behaviour incident on a 50 metre
(m) stretch of Kings Cross between 11pm – 3am –
significantly higher than all other precincts.

The CBD was the most congested precinct between
5-11pm, while Kings Cross is the most congested
precinct between 11pm – 4am.

Congestion peaks at 11pm, followed by a peak in
the number of anti-social behaviour incidents at
12am. After 12am the levels of congestion and antisocial behaviour incidents decrease at a similar rate
until 4am.
Land use activity


2
Across all precincts, there were on average over
760 businesses open at 6pm, 360 open at 11pm,
and 100 open by 4am
Between 6 – 11pm the NTE is dominated by cafes
or restaurants (38%-33% of all business)
LNMAR Report

Around two-fifths (39%) of respondents intended to
return home before midnight, one-quarter (26%)
between 12am – 2am, and one-fifth (18%) between
2-4am.

One-third suggested they would travel home on foot
(33%), around one-fifth travelling home by taxi
(19%), rail (19%) or private car (18%).

Overall three-fifths (60%) felt the precincts were
safe, and one-fifth (22%) suggested the precincts
were unsafe.

Newtown had the highest proportion of respondents
who felt the area was safe (81%). Kings Cross
(36%) and Oxford Street (35%) had the highest
proportion of respondents who felt the area was
unsafe.

Greater police presence was the overriding trigger
to heighten feelings of safety, mentioned by more
than two-fifths (43%) of respondents. Better lighting
(25%) and more security guards (24%) were also
suggested as mechanisms for improving safety.
3
Summary
Introduction
LNMAR Report
2. Introduction
night to ensure it provides a safe, diverse and exciting
experience for residents and visitors.
In 2012, the City published OPEN Sydney, a long-term
strategy for transforming the NTE over the next 20 years.
The strategy highlights the importance of the NTE and
the unique challenges associated with managing the City
at night. The challenges include:

Growing pedestrian numbers

Diverse reasons for visiting the precinct

Economic diversity and types of businesses open

Residential growth

Levels of intoxication, violent crime and anti-social
behaviour (ASB)

Transport availability

Public space design and servicing

Governance of the City at night.
OPEN Sydney sets five goals for the NTE including:
Background
In 2010, the City of Sydney (the City) commenced the
Late Night Management Areas Research (LNMAR)
project. The aim of the project is to collect information
about the night-time economy (NTE) and support
planning and management of the City at night.
The LNMAR project assists the City and other
stakeholders to plan for:
Short
term
Medium
term
Long
term
Precinct dispersal plans for late night areas
Location of taxi ranks
Location of garbage bins
How and when cleansing will occur
Transport promotion
Transport infrastructure locations
Directional signage
Measures to address footpath capacity
Incentives to encourage economic diversity
Effective services areas at night
Why a night-time economy focus?
The NTE is a key economic contributor to Sydney and
the wider NSW economy. In 2011 it was estimated that
the core NTE, including food, drink and entertainment
venues, in Sydney generated $2.7 billion in turnover. In
addition the NTE is a key attractor for overseas visitors,
as well as being an important asset for local residents
and workers in the City.
Over recent years the NTE has grown substantially,
however services and infrastructure have not kept pace.
There is a need to improve the functioning of the City at
4

A Global Sydney – innovative solutions, good
governance and coordinated action.

A Connected Sydney – connected transport and
connecting visitors, business and events.

A Diverse Sydney – diverse options and growth.

An Inviting and Safe Sydney – welcoming public
spaces and a more civilised drinking culture.

A Responsive Sydney – responsive regulation,
cutting red tape and providing tailored solutions.
The strategy also sets targets for the NTE in Sydney to
achieve by 2030. They include:

40% of people using the city at night will be aged
over 40 years

40% of businesses open after 6pm will be shops

Annual NTE turnover will double to $30 billion

There will be a 25% increase in jobs.
The LNMAR project collects a range of data and
information relating to the NTE in various precincts
across the City. The project collects information relating
to pedestrian numbers, ASB incidents, footway
congestion, type of businesses open, and profile of
patrons of the NTE, including reasons for visitation and
modes of travel.
This information is a valuable tool to monitor
performance, identify areas for improvement, and inform
the development of policies and strategies in accordance
with the objectives of OPEN Sydney.
Methodology
LNMAR Report
3. Methodology
behaviour, litter, policing and security, pedestrian
age and gender, and temporal economic diversity.

Intercept surveys – interviews with pedestrians
regarding reasons for visitation, types of venues
visited, migration between precincts, methods of
travel, times of departure, demographic
characteristics and place of residence.
Phase 3 of the LNMAR project includes the late night
trading precincts of George Street, Oxford Street and
Kings Cross and the City’s main streets King Street,
Crown Street, Glebe Point Road, Harris Street and
Redfern Street.
Phase 3 data was generally collected between 5pm –
5am on Friday and 6pm – 5am on Saturday night.
However, in some precincts this time period was altered
based on level of activity.
The following distinct time periods are used to define the
NTE and when reporting on the NTE:
Scope
This report presents the findings of Phase 3 of the
LNMAR project. Phase 1 and 2 were conducted in March
and December 2010 respectively and reported in 2011.

Early evening: 5pm – 9pm

Evening: 9pm – 11pm

Night-time: 11pm – 2am

Late-night: 2am – 5am.
Data collection for all phases has been conducted by an
independent survey contractor, Austraffic.
Table 3.1 compares data collection for Phases 1, 2 and
3.
Table 3.1 – Survey days and areas
Phase
Dates
Phase 3
14 and 22
December
2012
Phase 2
11 and 17
December
2010
Phase 1
12 and 20
March 2010
No. of No.
count observation
Precincts points points
Three
precincts
and five
main
streets as
listed
below
Kings
Cross
Oxford
Street
CBD
South
84
2,784
37
778
105
1,757
The LNMAR project involves three components of data
collection:

Pedestrian counts – undertaken at 84 separate
locations across the three precincts and five main
streets.

Observation survey – recording a range of on-street
activity and environmental characteristics, including
congregation, footway congestion, anti-social
5
Literature review
LNMAR Report

4. Literature
review
The cumulative impacts of pedestrian volumes,
numbers of licenced premises and associated
factors, such as transport availability, are not evenly
spread and impacts can be difficult to predict.
Introduction
A review of international research on night time economy
management was commissioned by the City of Sydney
as part of the LNMAR project. The following section
summarises the key findings of this literature review,
focusing on the key areas of:
Literature review summary

The NTE varies between City precincts as a result
of different attractions, audiences and social scenes.

Intoxication can lead to harm and ASB. Factors
leading to intoxication include patron age, duration
of alcohol consumption, and pre-loading of
consumption.

Hot-spots, hot-times and flashpoints are identified
as spaces and times when a range of factors lead to
an increase in the risk of ASB.

Pedestrian clustering or congregation can increase
the risk of ASB by bringing intoxicated people
together in close proximity – so can competition for
resources including food or transport.

Socially and culturally diverse crowds can help to
‘normalize’ the NTE and enhance informal controls,
reducing the risk of ASB.

Mixed-use zones with diverse economic activity can
help to encourage a diverse range of patrons and a
shift from a mono-culture of young drinkers in the
NTE.

There are a range of design and service
interventions which can improve the NTE including
CCTV, street lighting, toilet provision, glassware
management, and active streetscape and frontages.

6
Traffic and place management are important
considerations for the NTE. Getting people to,
around and home from NTE areas requires careful
planning and management. Pedestrian movements
also need to be managed to avoid footway
congestion and potential ASB incidents.

Public health and the night time economy

Public realm profiling

Design service interventions

Transport

Cleaning and maintaining the street scene.
Key findings
Public health and the night time economy
Drinking to intoxication can lead to alcohol related harm.
In the NTE, large numbers of people are brought
together and provided with opportunities to drink to
intoxication, leading to risks of crime, ASB and health
impacts.
Drinking patterns can vary between nightlife areas within
the same city and may be impacted by social scenes
linked to different attractions, audiences and substance
use choices.
There are a range of factors which influence levels of
intoxication in the NTE and related harms. They include:

The age of patrons – Research has shown that
young adults are both the core patrons of the NTE
and are most likely to engage in heavy sessional
drinking.

Duration – Research has also shown that those
active later in night and those who started drinking
earlier consume more alcohol. Long licensing hours
correlate with increasing levels of alcohol
consumption, intoxication and related harms.

Pre-loading – Drinking at home prior to visiting
nightlife areas has been associated with higher
levels of intoxication and related harms. Young
adults are identified as those more likely to take part
in pre-loading prior to visiting nightlife areas.
The use of multiple types of drugs (poly-drug use) and
levels of intoxication varies between social scenes and
the type of drugs. Consistent evidence has shown that
mixing cocaine with alcohol can result in greater levels of
harm than using either substance individually, including
increased propensity for violence. This can be a
Literature review
LNMAR Report
significant issue in NTE areas with a high prevalence of
cocaine use in licensed premises.
Levels of drunkenness and intoxication in NTE areas
have a direct influence on criminal justice and public
health outcomes, and “premises that produce the most
assault-related injuries are also those that produce the
greatest proportion of severely intoxicated groups”
(Moore et al. in Hadfield, 2011, p.7).
The Australian National Alcohol Strategy aims to support
the “facilitation of safer and healthier drinking cultures”
(Commonwealth of Australia in Hadfield, 2011, p. 8). The
presence of large-scale intoxication on the streets, the
potential risks of crime and anti-social behaviour, can
deter other potential customers of the NTE to the
detriment of diversified economic activity and cultural life.
Identifying the patterns of alcohol consumption,
intoxication, and potential for related harm, as well as the
times and locations (including areas of the City and
specific licensed venues), assists local enforcement,
prevention and policy interventions.
“The [CBD] … particularly at
night, is the most socially
unstable public environment in
the city.” (Wilstrom in Hadfield, 2011)
Public realm profiling
The theory also identifies the potential for ‘hot-spots’ and
‘hot-times’ for crime to be generated by circumstances in
which crowds are brought together in uncontrolled
environments with high levels of intoxication. These
potential ‘flash-points’ for crime and disorder may occur
at points were pedestrians cluster or converge and may
include taxi-ranks, night bus stops, fast-food outlets and
other points of clustering and convergence. As such ‘barhopping’ between venues or locations can increase the
number of pedestrians and potential for conflict.
This theory identifies patterns for crime, but does not
account for all potential causes of crime and disorder
which may also be influenced by:

Group behaviours, e.g. antagonism

Behaviour as a by-product of an individual’s
psychological and physiological responses to
intoxication

People’s intent to seek out violence.
Identifying the demographic composition of the nightlife
areas can help to assist in understanding the potential
victimisation of specific groups.
The likelihood of becoming involved in a physical fight is
associated with younger age, higher levels of
drunkenness and cocaine use. Although certain high-risk
profiles have been identified, the research also suggests
that persons who are intoxicated come from a range of
backgrounds. Their behaviour while intoxicated may not
be violent but may cause others alarm or distress.
Nightlife areas are sites of intense social interaction.
People gather to fulfil their entertainment needs, exercise
choice and enjoy the nightlife. In a small number of
cases, people may also exploit criminal opportunities.
While actual rates of violence may be low, perceptions of
risk can be high, which results in fear for a number of
would-be patrons of the night time economy.
Geography, temporal factors and cultural norms can
exert a ‘behaviour setting’ influence over patrons which is
unique to a particular area. Many nightlife areas are
characterised as ‘edgy’ and associated with low levels of
disorder. While this may appeal to younger or more
adventurous patrons, it may hold less appeal for other
visitors or local residents.
As a result, many residents or visitors, including older
people, young families and ethnic minorities, may avoid
nightlife areas. The research suggests that this is
unfortunate as the presence of socially and culturally
diverse crowds can help to ‘normalize’ the night time
areas and enhance informal controls as occurs during
the daytime.
Crime and disorder in the NTE is concentrated in space
and time. Offences tend to occur in a fairly limited
timeframe and at a range of locations. The „routine
activities theory‟ states that “In order for a crime to occur
there must be a convergence in time and space of three
minimal elements:
Diversity in the type of businesses operating at night can
also help to attract a range of patrons. Research
supports the provision of mixed-use zones, which
attracts a diversity of activity and patrons, rather than a
monoculture of young drinkers.
The research highlights key strategies to normalise the
NTE and behaviours, including:

A likely offender

A suitable target (person/s or object/s)


Diversifying the demographic composition of an
area
An absence of capable guardians against crime
(absence of surveillance).” (Hadfield, 2011, p. 17).

Development of mixed-use areas

Considered locations of outlets for food and alcohol
and the position of transport nodes.
Capable guardians can be anyone whose presence or
proximity would discourage a crime from happening and,
as such, guardianship is often inadvertent.
7
Other strategies to reduce anti-social behaviour and
make night time activity areas more appealing include:
LNMAR Report

Managing the density of licensed venues and liquor
outlets

Controlling hours for licensed venues

Minimising noise nuisance impacts

Urban design considerations for the built
environment (e.g. to reduce congestion).
The LNMAR collects information on a range of indicators
each hour through the night, including patron profile,
number of pedestrians, types of business open, and level
of footway congestion. This has been used to identify
potential hot-spots and flash-points in the NTE across
the city.
“Policies of functional
diversification … promote the
development of a mixed night
time economy, which attracts
and provides facilities for
families, older people, ethnic
minorities and specialist interest
groups.” (Hadfield, 2011)
Design and service interventions
There are a range of urban design and service
interventions which can be used to improve management
of the City at night. They include:
CCTV
CCTV is most effective in crime detection and response.
It aids targeted responses to developing situations and
prevents violence from escalating to injury. The
effectiveness of CCTV is dependent on the availability of
resources, police or security, to respond to the incidents
detected.
Street Lighting
Lighting serves a range of purposes including crime
prevention, pedestrian and traffic safety, and creates
impressions of a safe and welcoming environment.
Improved street lighting can potentially reduce crime, and
the fear of crime.
Public toilet provision
Public toilets are an important part of making cities
accessible and a lack of public toilets may exacerbate
anti-social behaviour in the form of street urination. The
provision of open air, mobile and temporary facilities
have been shown to be successful in terms of usage,
however they may be considered negatively by other
social groups.
Management of glassware
8
Literature review
Research suggests that in the UK, glasses and bottles
are common weapons used in violence occurring in
nightlife areas and can lead to severe injuries. There are
a number of strategies to reduce the opportunities for
using glass as a weapon. They include increasing the
frequency of glass collection and the use of high quality
polycarbonate glass (PCG) alternatives. While this can
be effective in reducing the severity of injury, it may not
reduce the volume of violent incidents.
Active Frontages
Activation of the frontages of licensed venues can
provide a number of benefits including improving the
natural surveillance of the streetscape and creating a
more welcoming feel for patrons. Businesses which are
closed during the night and covered by shutters, can lead
to the impression of a „dead‟ and unwelcoming place,
create a sense of risk and reinforce negative ‘behaviour
setting’. Well-lit, visible, accessible entrances with activity
that spills onto the street can provide an impression of
activity which helps to animate the street and make it feel
safer and more welcoming.
The LNMAR intercept surveys also identify suggested
solutions to improve feelings of safety in the NTE.
Transport
Safe transport to and from nightlife areas can provide a
number of benefits, including reducing the potential for
ASB and making nightlife areas more attractive to a
wider range of visitors. Poor transport results in people
having to spend longer in nightlife areas, developing
frustration and competition for scarce transport
resources.
There is a clear relationship between the closing times of
licenced premises and demand for transport. It is
necessary to ensure that adequate transport is available
to meet additional supply at peak times.
Late night buses and other public transport services have
been found to be popular, but require active
management to ensure they operate safely.
Also cities with a network of ‘urban villages’, like Sydney,
require adequate transport between precincts and
villages to allow people to get to and from different
attractions within the City.
Traffic management interventions including temporary
road closures, pavement barriers and traffic calming
measures, can reduce road traffic accidents and injuries
to intoxicated pedestrians and improve management of
transport in nightlife areas.
The LNMAR intercept survey records modes of transport
patrons use to visit late night precincts in the city, how
they travel between precincts, and modes of transport
they use to travel home. The research also highlights
pedestrian congregation and congestion on the footway
and identifies relationships between congregation and
levels of anti-social behaviour.
LNMAR Report
End notes
Moore, S., Brennan, I. and Murphy, S. (2011) ‘Predicting
and Measuring Premises-Level Harm in the Night-Time
Economy’, Alcohol and Alcoholism. 46(3): 357–63.
Commonwealth of Australia (2006) National Alcohol
Strategy 2006 (extended to 2011): Towards safer
drinking cultures. (Publication No. 3900), Canberra:
Commonwealth of Australia.
Hadfield, P., ‘Night-Time Economy Management:
International Research and Practice. A Review for the
City of Sydney’, September 2011.
9
Literature review
Pedestrian activity
LNMAR Report
Introduction
5. Pedestrian
activity
Pedestrian counts were conducted at a total of 84
locations across eight precincts in the City. There were
18 survey points in Kings Cross, 18 in the CBD and
Oxford Street, nine in Newtown and six in Glebe,
Pyrmont, Redfern, and Surry Hills. These survey points
are presented in Figure 1 overleaf.
Pedestrian counts were taken between 5pm to 5am on
Friday and 6pm to 5am on Saturday.
Pedestrian numbers and direction were counted for 15
minute intervals every hour, and then multiplied to
provide an average count for each hour.
The following section provides an analysis of the busiest
times and locations for each precinct, with the top five
locations identified. A cross-precinct analysis was also
undertaken to identify the top ten hotspots across the
city.
Hot spots
Summary

The CBD had the highest peak pedestrian counts
(7,052) followed by Kings Cross (3,964) and Oxford
Street (2,948).

All precincts were busiest on Friday, with the
exception of Kings Cross which was busiest on
Saturday.

All precincts were busiest in the evening (5–11pm)
with the exception of Kings Cross and Oxford Street
which was busiest during the night (11pm – 2am).

Pedestrian counts are influenced by the land uses in
the precinct:
Charts 5.1 and 5.2 (overleaf) show the maximum
pedestrian counts for each precinct on Friday and
Saturday nights. They show:

The CBD had the highest peak pedestrian counts on
both Friday (7,052) and Saturday (6,284), with
significantly higher pedestrian counts in early
evening compared to all other precincts.

Redfern had the lowest peak pedestrian counts
(below 1,000 people).

On Friday, pedestrian counts in all precincts peak in
the evening (before 9pm) with the exception of
Kings Cross which is busiest at 11pm (3,476) and
Oxford Street which is busiest at 12am (2,948).

By 12am, peak pedestrian counts in all precincts are
generally below 500 people, with the exception of
the CBD, Kings Cross and Oxford Street which have
similar pedestrian counts through the night until
4am. Oxford Street has the highest peak pedestrian
counts between 1 – 4am on Friday.

On Saturday, again pedestrian counts in all
precincts peak in the evening (before 9pm) with the
exception of Kings Cross (12am peak of 3,964
people) and Oxford Street (11pm peak of 2,348
people).

On Saturday night, the CBD, Kings Cross and
Oxford Street have similar peak pedestrian counts,
with Kings Cross having the highest peak counts
between 1 – 4am.

For all precincts, pedestrian counts peaked on
Friday, with the exception of Kings Cross which had
higher peak pedestrian counts on Saturday night.
- The CBD was busiest when people are leaving
work (6–8pm Friday).
- Kings Cross, the primary night time entertainment
precinct, was busiest on a Saturday night (11pm –
12am Saturday).
- Newtown, with its numerous restaurants and
takeaways, was busiest in the early evening when
people go out for meals (7–8pm Friday).

Compared to peak pedestrian counts in 2010, the
2012 survey shows:
- Pedestrian numbers have decreased in the top ten
locations.
- The largest decrease was in the CBD and Kings
Cross late at night (11pm – 2am).
- The CBD was generally busier in the evening but
quieter at night with fewer people staying out late.
10
LNMAR Report
Figure 1 – Pedestrian count survey locations
11
Pedestrian activity
LNMAR Report
Chart 5.1 – Maximum pedestrian counts Friday
Chart 5.2 – Maximum pedestrian counts Saturday
12
Pedestrian activity
Pedestrian activity
LNMAR Report
Table 5.3 – Top 5 hot spots Oxford Street
Precinct maximums
The following tables identify the time and location of the
top five pedestrian counts recorded for each precinct.
CBD
The CBD had the highest pedestrian counts of all
precincts. Pedestrian counts here are likely to have been
influenced by the commercial and retail character of the
area, with peaks when people were leaving work in the
evening.
The busiest time in the CBD was early evening (6-8pm)
on Friday, near the Albion Hotel along George Street.
Table 5.1 – Top 5 hot spots CBD
Location
Day
Count
(person
Hour per hour)
531-535 George Street
531-535 George Street
531-535 George Street
531-535 George Street
483A George Street
Friday
Friday
Friday
Saturday
Friday
7pm
6pm
8pm
7pm
6pm
7,052
6,576
6,388
6,284
6,248
Kings Cross
The Kings Cross precinct is the main focus of the NTE in
the City and as such was busiest on Saturday night
between 11pm and 12am along Darlinghurst Road,
which is the primary location for licensed venues in the
precinct. The precinct also remained busy until late at
night (2am).
Table 5.2 – Top 5 hot spots Kings Cross
Location
Day
Hour
Count
(person
per hour)
58 Darlinghurst Rd
58 Darlinghurst Rd
67-73 Darlinghurst Rd
58 Darlinghurst Rd
67-73 Darlinghurst Rd
Saturday
Saturday
Friday
Saturday
Saturday
12am
11pm
11pm
2am
11pm
3,964
3,756
3,476
3,448
3,420
Oxford Street
Oxford Street is a main transport route and access point
between the CBD and adjacent precincts of Kings Cross
and Surry Hills. It was busiest on Friday night between
12am and 1am, between Riley Street and Crown Street.
13
Location
Day
Hour
Count
(person
per hour)
22-87 Oxford Street
22-87 Oxford Street
99-155 Oxford Street
22-87 Oxford Street
Friday
Friday
Friday
Saturday
12am
1am
12am
11pm
2,948
2,872
2,360
2,348
22-63 Oxford Street
Friday
12am
2,344
Newtown
Newtown is characterised by a large number of shops,
restaurants, takeaways, and licensed venues in close
proximity to residential areas. The precinct was busiest
on a Friday and Saturday evenings between 6pm and
8pm.
Table 5.4 – Top 5 hot spots Newtown
Location
Day
Count
(person
Hour per hour)
262 King St
Friday
7pm
2,304
262 King St
Friday
8pm
2,248
294 King St
Friday
7pm
2,216
262 King St
Saturday 6pm
2,080
262 King St
Saturday 8pm
2,064
Pyrmont
Pyrmont has a mix of residential properties, with large
leisure destinations nearby including Darling Harbour
and the Star (Casino). Pyrmont was busiest near
Pyrmont Bridge in early evening on Friday (5-6pm) and
Saturday (8-9pm).
Table 5.5 – Top 5 hot spots Pyrmont
Count
(person
per hour)
Location
Day
Hour
96 Union St
Friday
5pm
1,728
96 Union St
Friday
6pm
1,708
96 Union St
Friday
10pm
1,292
96 Union St
Saturday 8pm
1,284
96 Union St
Saturday 9pm
1,280
Pedestrian activity
LNMAR Report
Surry Hills
Comparison with 2010
Surry Hills is a residential suburb with a number of
restaurants and licensed premises. It was busiest early
evening (around 8-9pm) on both Friday and Saturday
along Crown Street.
Table 5.9 below compares the top ten pedestrian
hotspots recorded in 2010, with the pedestrian counts for
the same times and locations in 2012. In 2010:

Half of the top ten hotspots were recorded in Kings
Cross.

Four of the top six hotspots were recorded in the
CBD South.

All of the top ten hotspots were recorded in the night
time between 11pm and 2am.

Seven of the top ten pedestrian counts were
recorded on a Saturday.
Table 5.6 – Top 5 hot spots Surry Hills
Location
Day
Count
(person
Hour per hour)
381 Crown St
Friday
9pm
1,016
381 Crown St
Saturday 8pm
884
381 Crown St
Saturday 9pm
864
381 Crown St
Friday
6pm
860
381 Crown St
Friday
5pm
848
Redfern
Redfern is a highly urbanised residential suburb with a
significant transport hub. Redfern has a small but
growing restaurant, café and small bar precinct along
Redfern Street. Redfern was busiest near Redfern Train
Station during the early evening on Friday between 5pm
and 7pm.
Table 5.7 – Top 5 hot spots Redfern
Location
Day
Count
(person
Hour per hour)
157 Redfern St
Friday
5pm
940
157 Redfern St
Friday
6pm
732
157 Redfern St
Friday
7pm
676
123A Redfern St
Friday
5pm
640
182 Redfern St
Friday
5pm
588
Glebe
Glebe is a residential suburb with a high concentration of
restaurants, licensed venues and late-trading shops on
Glebe Point Road. Glebe was busiest along Glebe Point
Road in the early evening on Friday (between 7-9pm).
Table 5.8 – Top 5 hot spots Glebe
Location
Day
Count
(person
Hour per hour)
51 Glebe Point Rd
Friday
7pm
1,020
51 Glebe Point Rd
Friday
8pm
924
52 Glebe Point Rd
Friday
9pm
916
53 Glebe Point Rd
Saturday 7pm
840
54 Glebe Point Rd
Friday
832
14
6pm
In 2012:

The pedestrian numbers at all of the top ten
hotspots and times had decreased.

Peak pedestrian counts at four of the top ten
hotspots had reduced by more than 50%.

The largest decreases in pedestrian counts were
observed in the CBD and Kings Cross late at night
(11pm – 2am).
The data suggests a shift in behaviour between 2010
and 2012. The CBD was busier during the early evening
and quieter later in the night, with fewer people staying
out late at night in the CBD.
Pedestrian activity
LNMAR Report
Table 5.9 – Maximum pedestrian counts at top 10 hotspots 2010 vs 2012
Hour
2010 Person
per hour
2012 Persons Percentage
per hour
Change
Precinct
Location
Day
CBD South
George St at Central St
Saturday 12am-1am
7,600
3,544
-53%
Oxford St
Oxford St (IGA)
Friday
11pm-12am
6,900
2,296
-67%
CBD South
George St at Central St
Friday
12am-1am
6,850
3,644
-47%
CBD South
George St at Central St
Saturday 11pm-12am
6,600
3,924
-41%
Kings Cross
Darlinghurst Rd south of
Roslyn St
Saturday 1-2am
5,900
2,496
-58%
CBD South
George St at Central St
Friday
5,850
4,572
-22%
Kings Cross
Bayswater Rd east of
Darlinghurst Rd
Saturday 1-2am
5,400
2,236
-59%
Kings Cross
Darlinghurst Rd between
Roslyn St and Bayswater Rd
Saturday 1-2am
5,350
2,798
-48%
Kings Cross
Darlinghurst Rd north of
Bayswater Rd
Saturday 1-2am
5,250
3,240
-38%
Kings Cross
Darlinghurst Rd north of
Bayswater Rd
Saturday 12-1am
5,200
3,694
-29%
11pm-12am
Table 5.10 – Maximum pedestrian counts at top 10 hotspots 2012
2012
Persons per
hour
Precinct
Location
Day
Hour
CBD
531-535 George Street (Albion Place Hotel)
Friday
7pm-8pm
7,052
CBD
531-535 George Street (Albion Place Hotel)
Friday
6pm-7pm
6,576
CBD
531-535 George Street (Albion Place Hotel)
Friday
8pm-9pm
6,388
CBD
531-535 George Street (Albion Place Hotel)
Saturday 7pm-8pm
6,284
CBD
483A George Street, South of Park Street (St Andrews Church)
Friday
6,248
Kings Cross
58 Darlinghurst Rd (Goodies Take Away Foods) (9/10T)
Saturday 12am-1am
3,964
Kings Cross
58 Darlinghurst Rd (Goodies Take Away Foods) (9/10T)
Saturday 11pm-12am
3,756
Kings Cross
67-73 Darlinghurst Rd (Normandy Building) (8/9T)
Friday
3,476
Kings Cross
58 Darlinghurst Rd (Goodies Take Away Foods) (9/10T)
Saturday 2am-3am
3,448
Kings Cross
67-73 Darlinghurst Rd (Normandy Building) (8/9T)
Saturday 11pm-12am
3,420
15
6pm-7pm
11pm-12am
Street activity
LNMAR Report
6. Street
activity
ASB incidents is expected. Table 6.1, on page 21,
presents ASB in the Kings Cross area in more detail
by demonstrating the likelihood of seeing a serious
anti-social behaviour incident across four areas, and
controls for the size of the precinct.

Kings Cross is problematic in the night-time and latenight– there was more than a 20% chance of
witnessing a serious anti-social behaviour incident on
a 50m stretch of Kings Cross between 11pm – 3am –
significantly higher than all other precincts.

Different precincts experience peak congestion at
different times - the CBD was the most congested
precinct in the early evening and evening (between
5-11pm), while Kings Cross was the most congested
precinct in the night-time and late-night (between
11pm – 4am).

There is a relationship between congestion and antisocial behaviour–congestion peaks at 11pm,
followed by a peak in the number of anti-social
behaviour incidents at 12am. After 12am the levels of
congestion and anti-social behaviour incidents
decrease at a similar rate until 4am.
Summary

In total 1,966 incidents of anti-social behaviour were
recorded across all precincts.

Most anti-social behaviour is less serious – over half
(53%, or 1,043) of all incidents were categorised as
less serious incidents, one-third (33%, or 639) were
non-serious, and less than one-sixth (14%, or 284)
were serious.

Serious ASB activity is more likely to occur later at
night – a higher proportion of non-serious incidents
occur during the evening, with serious incidents
generally occurring later in the night.
Introduction
An observation survey was conducted across all eight
precincts to record three key aspects of street activity: i)
instances of anti-social behaviour (ASB), ii) congregation
(standing groups), and ii) congestion (available space).
Anti-social behaviour was divided into three categories:

Serious ASB – physical and verbal fights and
arguments, shouting and verbal abuse.

Kings Cross recorded the highest incidences of
serious ASB – Kings Cross had the highest
proportion of serious incidents (24%) compared to
other precincts.

Less serious ASB – drunken behaviour including
staggering, falling, bad balance, loud music,
urination and vomiting, street drinking and
vandalism.

ASB occurs mostly in the evening and night-time –
for most precincts the peak number of anti-social
behaviour incidents were recorded late in the
evening (between 9 – 11pm) with the exception of
Kings Cross (2am), Oxford Street (12am) and
Newtown (12am).

Non-serious ASB – singing and horsing around (e.g.
dancing, jumping, physical play).


Serious ASB occurs mostly in the night-time and late
night – for precincts which recorded incidents of
serious anti-social behaviour, the peak of these
incidents was recorded from the beginning of night
time to the middle of late-night (between 11pm –
3am). Redfern, Harris Street and Glebe did not
record any incidents of serious ASB.
Kings Cross experiences ASB across all time periods
– between 9pm to 4am, a larger number of antisocial behaviour incidents were recorded in Kings
Cross, compared to all other precincts. However, it
should be noted that Kings Cross was one of the
largest precincts and therefore, a larger recording of
16
To improve consistency in recording incidents across all
precincts, observers were provided with detailed
definitions and practical examples of behaviour that did
and did not qualify for each of the behaviour types. Pilot
surveys were conducted, checked for reliability, and
surveys were amended. All observers were provided with
field training prior to undertaking the survey.
Anti-Social behaviour analysis
Type of anti-social behaviour incidents
In total, 1,966 anti-social behaviour incidents were
recorded across all precincts. Of all incidents recorded,
over half (53%) were less serious incidents, one-third
(33%) were non-serious, and less than one-sixth (14%)
were serious incidents.
Street activity
LNMAR Report
Chart 6.1– Type of anti-social behaviour incidents
14%
Serious
33%
“Half the serious incidents of
anti-social behaviour on a
Saturday occurred during the
late-night (between 2– 4am).”
Hot spots
Less serious
53%
Non-serious
The number of anti-social behaviour incidents for each
precinct was recorded for each hour of the study period.
Charts 6.4, 6.5, and 6.6 (overleaf) provide an overview of
general patterns throughout the night for each precinct.
They do not account for methodological factors such as
the different size of precincts.
Chart 6.4 indicates that:
Chart 6.2 presents the type of anti-social behaviour
incidents recorded in each precinct.

In the evening (before 9pm), most precincts
observed a similar number of anti-social behaviour
incidents with only the CBD (6pm) and Kings Cross
(8pm) recording more than 20 incidents in one hour.

For most precincts, the peak number of incidents
were recorded late in the evening (between 9pm
and 11pm) with the exception of Kings Cross (2am),
Oxford Street (12am) and Newtown (12am).

A significantly higher number of incidents were
recorded in Kings Cross between 9pm to 4am,
compared to all other precincts.

A similar number of incidents are recorded in CBD,
Newtown and Oxford Street through the night to
4am.

Only a small number of incidents were recorded
through the night in the precincts of Pyrmont, Glebe,
and Redfern.
Chart 6.2 shows:

Kings Cross had the highest proportion of serious
incidents (24%) compared to other precincts.

The CBD and Newtown had the second highest
proportions (7%) of serious incidents.

Both Pyrmont and Redfern had no recorded
incidents of serious anti-social behaviour.

In all precincts over half of recorded incidents were
less serious. The exceptions were Pyrmont (17%)
and Redfern (25%), which had the highest
proportion of non-serious incidents (83% and 75%
respectively).
Chart 6.3 shows when various types of anti-social
behaviour incidents were recorded across all of the
precincts. This indicates that a higher proportion of nonserious incidents occur during the evening, with serious
incidents generally occurring later in the night:

Nearly half (44%) of all non-serious incidents on a
Friday, and over one-quarter (27%) on a Saturday,
were recorded in the evening (before 9pm).

Over one-third (38%) of all serious incidents on a
Friday, and over half (51%) on a Saturday, were
recorded later in the night (between 2– 4am).

Around half of all serious, less serious and nonserious incidents occur between 10pm – 2am.

On Friday the number of non-serious incidents
recorded peaks at 9pm (25%), while serious
incidents peak at 1am (22%).

On Saturday the number of non-serious and less
serious incidents peak at 12am (20% and 17%
respectively) while serious incidents peak at 3am
(25%).
17
Chart 6.5 presents the number of anti-social behaviour
incidents recorded on Friday only. This shows that:

During early evening (before 9pm) all precincts have
similar numbers of anti-social behaviour incidents.

After 9pm, a significantly higher number of incidents
are recorded in Kings Cross compared to other
precincts.

More than 50 anti-social behaviour incidents were
recorded in Kings Cross each hour between 9pm to
1am.
Chart 6.6 presents the number of anti-social behaviour
incidents recorded on Saturday only. This shows:

After 11pm, a significantly higher number of
incidents are recorded in Kings Cross compared to
other precincts.
LNMAR Report
More than 50 anti-social behaviour incidents were
recorded in Kings Cross each hour between 12am to
4am.
Note on precincts and comparisons: the precincts are
all different sizes, and a number had more than one
observer recording street activity. As such there is
potential for a greater number of incidents to be recorded
in the larger precincts, because of their larger size.
18
Street activity
Street activity
LNMAR Report
Chart 6.2 – Type of anti-social behaviour incidents in each precinct
100%
Proportion of anti-social behaviour incidents
90%
80%
25%
33%
39%
40%
45%
42%
70%
75%
60%
83%
50%
50%
40%
60%
53%
59%
30%
52%
53%
20%
25%
24%
10%
17%
7%
0%
CBD
2%
Oxford Street
Kings Cross
3%
5%
Surry Hills
Glebe
Serious
7%
Pyrmont
Less serious
Newtown
Redfern
Non-serious
Chart 6.3 – Timing of anti-social behaviour incidents
Proportion of anti-social behaviour incidents
30%
Serious
Friday
25%
Less
serious
Friday
20%
Non-serious
Friday
15%
Serious
Saturday
10%
Less
serious
Saturday
5%
0%
5pm
19
6pm
7pm
8pm
9pm
10pm 11pm 12am
1am
2am
3am
4am
Non-serious
Saturday
Street activity
LNMAR Report
Chart 6.4 – Total number of anti-social behaviour incidents
160
Total number of anti-social behaviour incidents
CBD
140
Oxford
Street
120
Kings Cross
100
Surry Hills
80
Glebe
60
Pyrmont
40
20
Newtown
0
Redfern
5pm 6pm 7pm 8pm 9pm 10pm 11pm 12am 1am 2am 3am 4am
Chart 6.5 – Total number of anti-social behaviour incidents Friday only
90
Total number of anti-social behaviour incidents
CBD
80
70
Oxford
Street
60
Kings Cross
50
Surry Hills
40
Glebe
30
Pyrmont
20
Newtown
10
Redfern
0
5pm
20
6pm
7pm
8pm
9pm 10pm 11pm 12am 1am
2am
3am
4am
LNMAR Report
Street activity
Chart 6.6 – Total number of anti-social behaviour incidents Saturday only
Total number of anti-social behaviour incidents
100
CBD
90
80
Oxford
Street
70
Kings
Cross
60
Surry Hills
50
40
Glebe
30
Pyrmont
20
Newtown
10
Redfern
0
5pm 6pm 7pm 8pm 9pm 10pm 11pm 12am 1am 2am 3am 4am
21
Street activity
LNMAR Report
Density of anti-social behaviour incidents
Less serious anti-social behaviour incidents
Each precinct is a different size and shape and can vary
in the number of observers who were recording antisocial behaviour incidents across the area.
Table 6.2 presents the likelihood of seeing a less serious
incident in the four precincts.

To control for these differences, the following analysis
compares the likelihood of observing anti-social
behaviour incidents along a 50m stretch of the central
area of each precinct – controlling for the size of each
precinct and the number of observers in each.
There was more than a 50% chance of seeing a
less serious incident on a 50m stretch of Kings
Cross between 12am and 3am.

The peak chance of seeing a less serious incident in
the CBD was 10pm, 12am in both Oxford Street and
Newtown, and 1am in Kings Cross.
Serious anti-social behaviour incidents

The likelihood of seeing a less serious incident in
Oxford Street remains relatively constant between
10pm to 1am.
Table 6.1 presents the likelihood (percentage chance) of
seeing a serious anti-social behaviour incident in the four
areas with the highest anti-social behaviour counts
(Kings Cross, Oxford Street, CBD and Newtown, and
Surry Hills). This is based on the average number of
incidents recorded on both Friday and Saturday night,
and controls for the size of the precinct and number of
observers present.


There is a more than 20% chance of witnessing a
serious incident on a 50m stretch of Kings Cross
between 11pm – 2am, with a 42% chance at 3am.
The likelihood of seeing a serious incident in the
CBD remains relatively constant between 10pm3am.
Table 6.2 – Percentage chance of seeing a less
serious incident
Time
CBD
Oxford
Street
Kings
Cross
Newtown
5pm
5%
6%
8%
30%
6pm
9%
6%
2%
0%
7pm
5%
8%
3%
7%
8pm
5%
6%
6%
7%
9pm
14%
17%
17%
7%
10pm
21%
28%
22%
22%
In 2010 there was a 52% chance of seeing a serious
incident on a 50m stretch of Kings Cross at 1am, and
36% chance at 2am and 3am. In Oxford Street, there
was a 15% chance of seeing a serious incident at 2am
and 3am.
11pm
14%
28%
38%
30%
12am
12%
30%
58%
45%
1am
19%
28%
63%
30%
2am
17%
22%
56%
37%
Based just on the results of these surveys, this suggests
that the likelihood of witnessing a serious anti-social
behaviour incident has decreased since 2010. However,
it is important to note that weather, special events and
random variations will likely result in differences between
individual nights in the same year. This general ‘internight’ variation may account for some of the differences
between the ‘inter-year’ variation between 2010-2012.
Table 6.1 – Percentage chance of seeing a serious
incident
3am
12%
19%
50%
22%
4am
2%
8%
31%
22%
Time
CBD
Oxford
Street
Kings
Cross
Newtown
5pm
6pm
7pm
8pm
9pm
10pm
11pm
12am
1am
2am
3am
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
5%
5%
2%
2%
2%
5%
3%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
3%
0%
3%
0%
5%
2%
0%
0%
2%
6%
28%
25%
34%
33%
42%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
7%
0%
0%
7%
0%
7%
4am
0%
3%
14%
0%
22
In 2010, there was a 70% chance of seeing a less
serious incident in Kings Cross between 1am and 3am.
There was also a more than 60% chance of seeing a
less serious incident in Oxford Street at 2am.
While this appears to suggest that the likelihood of
witnessing a less serious incident has decreased since
2010.
Congestion and congregation
Congregation refers to the number of people in standing
groups of three or more, e.g. waiting for a bus or taxi,
socialising, or a venue queue. Congestion refers to the
amount of available space on the footpath, as a result of:

The number of pedestrians and groups

Footpath widths

Obstacles (e.g. furniture, bins, outdoor seating, or
trees).
Chart 6.7 presents the level of footway congestion for all
precincts during the survey period. This shows that:
LNMAR Report

The CBD has the highest level of footway
congestion between 5 –11pm.

Kings Cross has the highest level of congestion
between 11pm – 4am.

Congestion in Kings Cross increases rapidly at
11pm, and remains high until 12am before steadily
decreasing through the night.

There is a low level of congestion in Redfern,
Newtown, Glebe, and Surry Hills.

Levels of congestion in Pyrmont are variable, and
the area can become rapidly congested, or relatively
sparse.
Pedestrian numbers and levels of congregation may lead
to an increase in the risk of anti-social behaviour
incidents by bringing groups of intoxicated people in
close proximity of each other. Chart 6.8 presents an
analysis between the average number of people on the
footway and the average number of anti-social behaviour
incidents recorded for all precincts.
This indicates that congregation increases rapidly in
early evening (5 – 7pm) with no associated increase in
anti-social behaviour. Anti-social behaviour increases
later in the evening (8 – 10pm). Pedestrian congregation
reaches a peak at 11pm, and is followed by a peak in the
average number of anti-social behaviour incidents at
12am. After 12am, pedestrian congregation and antisocial behaviour incidents decrease at a similar, steady
rate until 4am.
23
Street activity
Street activity
LNMAR Report
Chart 6.7- Level of congregation
High1.5
CBD
1.45
Oxford Street
Level of footway congregation
1.4
1.35
Kings Cross
1.3
Surry Hills
1.25
Glebe
1.2
1.15
Pyrmont
1.1
Newtown
1.05
Redfern
Low 1
5pm
6pm
7pm
8pm
9pm
10pm
11pm
12am
1am
2am
3am
4am
Chart 6.8- Anti-social behaviour incidents and congregation
40
900
35
800
Average congregation
(number of people)
30
700
25
600
500
20
400
15
300
10
200
5
100
0
0
5pm
6pm
7pm
8pm
9pm
10pm
Average congregation
24
11pm
12am
1am
Average ASB
2am
3am
4am
Average number of anti-social behaviour incidents
1000
Land use activity
LNMAR Report

7. Land use
activity
Takeaway food.
Key findings
The number and types of businesses open varies
considerably through the night, with a clear trend of
businesses closing at 11pm, after which open
businesses tend to be pubs, taverns and bars, and
takeaway food businesses.
Chart 7.1 presents the average number and type of
businesses recorded as open across all precincts for
both Friday and Saturday nights.
Chart 7.2 presents the various types of businesses as a
proportion of all businesses open for each hour.
They show:
Summary

Across all precincts there were on average over 760
businesses open at 6pm, 360 open at 11pm, and
100 open by 4am.

Between 6-11pm the NTE is dominated by cafes or
restaurants (38%-33% of all business).

Between 12am – 4am the NTE is dominated by
pubs, taverns and bars (28%-31% of all
businesses).

The proportion of open retail businesses decreases
through the night, while the proportion of takeaway
food businesses increases.

The study areas in the CBD have the largest
number of businesses open during the evening (160
open at 6pm) while Kings Cross has the largest
number of businesses open at night (100 open at
11pm).
Introduction
An analysis of land uses was conducted for all precincts,
with the number and type of open businesses recorded
for each hour of the survey period.
Businesses were classified as follows:

Personal services

Supermarket or grocery

Accommodation

Other retail

Other

Cafes or restaurants

Pubs, taverns or bars
25

On average over 760 businesses are open within
the precincts at 6pm.

This decreases by nearly half (48%) to 360 by
11pm, and by one-third (30%) to 100 by 4am.

In the evening (between 6 – 10pm) around one-third
(33%-38%) of all businesses open are cafes or
restaurants, with fewer than one-fifth (13%-18%)
being pubs, taverns or bars.

After 11pm, the proportion of open business which
are cafes and restaurants decreases to less than
one-fifth (22%-11%). The proportion of pubs,
taverns and bars increases to around one third of all
businesses (28%-31%). The proportion of
businesses which are takeaway food outlets
increases to around one- fifth (15% -20%).

Other retail businesses decrease from one-fifth
(19%) of all open businesses at 6pm, to less than
one in ten (8%) by 12am.
While the number of open accommodation, supermarket
or grocery, and personal service businesses decreases
throughout the night, they remain a relatively constant
proportion of the overall NTE.
Land use activity
LNMAR Report
Chart 7.1 – Number of open businesses open in LGA Study Areas
800
700
29
35
67
600
68
27
34
25
33
55
Number of bsuinesses
72
500
24
31
32
40
43
55
47
70
68
144
400
22
29
28
34
65
122
100
62
80
300
98
97
98
59
20
24
20
24
94
49
97
19
22
16
15
42
22
36
200
86
254
100
246
243
231
198
75
58
0
Cafes/Restaurants
Pubs/Taverns/Bars
10pm
(n=524)
Other retail
11pm
(n=366)
Takeaway food
16
16
11
6
33
16
55
12am
(n=268)
Other
14
15
9
29
14
46
19
12
12
5
23
10
32
35
23
12
1am (n=212) 2am (n=175) 3am (n=150) 4am (n=110)
67
110
6pm (n=765) 7pm (n=704) 8pm (n=656) 9pm (n=599)
18
17
13
11
35
18
Personal services
Supermarket/Grocery
Accommodation
Chart 7.2 – Proportion of open businesses open in LGA Study Areas
100%
90%
80%
70%
4%
5%
4%
5%
4%
5%
4%
4%
5%
5%
9%
8%
7%
5%
5%
7%
7%
6%
10%
11%
9%
9%
8%
10%
5%
6%
7%
8%
9%
9%
8%
8%
9%
10%
6%
6%
5%
6%
6%
12%
19%
17%
15%
13%
13%
14%
3%
5%
4%
19%
19%
20%
10%
50%
40%
16%
11%
8%
15%
6%
3%
11%
13%
15%
60%
5%
6%
10%
16%
8%
9%
18%
9%
9%
23%
28%
31%
30%
31%
20%
33%
35%
37%
38%
31%
29%
38%
30%
22%
10%
17%
13%
13%
11%
2am
(n=175)
3am
(n=150)
4am
(n=110)
0%
6pm
(n=764)
7pm
(n=704)
8pm
(n=655)
Cafes/Restaurants
Other
26
9pm
(n=598)
10pm
(n=524)
Pubs/Taverns/Bars
Personal services
11pm
(n=366)
12am
(n=268)
1am
(n=212)
Other retail
Supermarket/Grocery
Takeaway food
Accommodation
LNMAR Report
Precinct averages
The following sections present analysis on the average
number and type of businesses open on both Friday and
Saturday night for each precinct in the City.
CBD
On average the CBD has the largest number of
businesses open in the evening. Chart 6.3 indicates
there are around 160 businesses open in the CBD at
6pm, decreasing to around 80 by 11pm and 25 by 4am.
The types of businesses open in the CBD remains
relatively constant through the night. In the evening, the
majority are cafes and restaurants followed by other
retail. At night, the majority of open businesses are pubs,
taverns and bars, with very few other retail businesses.
Oxford Street
Chart 7.4 indicates there are on average around 140
businesses open in Oxford Street at 6pm, decreasing to
around 80 by 10pm and 40 by 4am. The majority of
businesses open in the evening are cafes and
restaurants, followed by other retail and pubs, taverns
and bars. After 11pm, the majority of businesses open
are pubs, taverns and bars, and the proportion of open
cafes and restaurants have decreased significantly.
Kings Cross
On average, Kings Cross has the largest number of
businesses open late at night. Chart 7.5 indicates there
are on average around 145 businesses open in Kings
Cross at 6pm, decreasing to around 100 by 11pm and 60
by 4pm. The type of businesses open remains relatively
constant through the night, with the majority being pubs,
taverns and bars, followed by cafes and restaurants.
Surry Hills
Chart 7.6 indicates there are on average 95 businesses
open in Surry Hills at 6pm, decreasing to around 30 by
11pm. Nearly all businesses are closed by 1am. In the
evening, the majority of businesses open are cafes and
restaurants, followed by other retail. After 11pm the
proportion of pubs, taverns or bars increases.
Newtown
Chart 7.7 indicates Newtown had on average 190
businesses open at 6pm, decreasing to only around 50
by 11pm, with nearly all businesses closed by 4am.
In the evening, the majority of the businesses open were
cafes and restaurants, followed by other retail business.
At night, the proportion of open cafes and restaurants
decreases, and the proportion of open pubs, taverns and
bars, and takeaway food businesses increases.
Other precincts
Glebe (n=60) Pyrmont (n=35) and Redfern (n=34) had
very few businesses open at 6pm. The majority of the
businesses were closed before 1am.
27
Land use activity
Land use activity
LNMAR Report
.
Chart 7.3 – Proportion of open businesses CBD
100%
90%
80%
15%
13%
16%
13%
17%
14%
70%
18%
15%
19%
20%
16%
21%
22%
23%
24%
50%
40%
15%
14%
13%
25%
18%
4%
5%
7%
4%
5%
7%
0%
15%
4%
5%
5%
5%
6%
4%
12%
11%
8%
4%
6%
4%
5%
6%
4%
6pm
7pm
8pm
9pm
10pm
(n=162) (n=153) (n=144) (n=131) (n=117)
Personal services
Other
11pm
(n=82)
Supermarket/Grocery
Cafes/Restaurants
60%
33%
35%
35%
32%
40%
30%
20%
19%
7%
18%
7%
15%
6%
5%
29%
25%
21%
15%
17%
19%
10%
2%
8%
4%
3%
9%
6%
3%
8%
8%
4%
6%
8%
3%
12am
(n=60)
7%
4%
9%
12%
1am
(n=50)
2am
(n=39)
9%
3%
3am
(n=32)
29%
17%
5%
Other retail
Takeaway food
14%
15%
34%
36%
10%
4am
(n=26)
17%
37%
4%
4%
4%
7%
4%
13%
14%
12%
2%
5%
4%
15%
37%
0%
5%
17%
13%
13%
13%
11%
2%
8%
2%
9%
2%
9%
2%
10%
11%
2%
10%
12%
13%
13%
11%
12%
15%
11pm
(n=79)
12am
(n=67)
1am
(n=54)
2am
(n=48)
3am
(n=41)
4am
(n=41)
3%
5%
2%
5%
2%
6%
2%
6%
2%
7%
13%
11%
11%
11%
12%
10%
29%
11%
2%
8%
13%
23%
50%
8%
16%
Accommodation
Pubs/Taverns/Bars
Chart 7.4 – Proportion of open businesses Oxford Street
100%
6%
7%
7%
8%
9%
11%
90%
15%
17%
17%
18%
21%
80%
25%
70%
31%
32%
12%
17%
27%
24%
13%
19%
20%
10%
26%
23%
30%
26%
21%
26%
60%
20%
0%
6pm
7pm
8pm
9pm
10pm
(n=143) (n=133) (n=127) (n=119) (n=103)
Personal services
Other
28
Supermarket/Grocery
Cafes/Restaurants
Accommodation
Pubs/Taverns/Bars
Other retail
Takeaway food
Land use activity
LNMAR Report
Chart 7.5 – Proportion of open businesses Kings Cross
100%
90%
13%
14%
14%
14%
14%
15%
15%
15%
15%
16%
18%
21%
21%
23%
23%
24%
25%
27%
28%
29%
29%
28%
18%
15%
15%
14%
14%
12%
80%
70%
60%
18%
18%
18%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
7%
7%
19%
19%
6%
6%
6%
6%
5%
4%
3%
4%
4%
14%
14%
12%
12%
11%
10%
11%
10%
14%
12%
12%
12%
13%
14%
15%
15%
15%
16%
12%
5%
5%
5%
10%
9%
4%
7%
4%
7%
5%
5%
5%
6%
6%
6%
6%
6%
7%
5%
8%
8%
14%
12%
14%
0%
6pm
7pm
8pm
9pm
10pm
11pm
12am
1am
(n=145) (n=140) (n=133) (n=129) (n=121) (n=102) (n=91)
(n=85)
Personal services
Supermarket/Grocery
Accommodation
Other
Cafes/Restaurants
Pubs/Taverns/Bars
Chart 7.6 – Proportion of open businesses Surry Hills
100%
6%
7%
6%
7%
7%
90%
9%
10%
10%
8%
11%
2am
3am
(n=78)
(n=70)
Other retail
Takeaway food
9%
4%
4am
(n=60)
20%
13%
80%
19%
26%
70%
60%
30%
47%
54%
50%
60%
60%
58%
26%
47%
40%
8%
30%
20%
10%
5%
18%
12%
6%
6%
0%
5%
4%
9%
9%
7%
7%
2%
8%
2%
8%
3%
5%
3%
6%
6%
6%
50%
18%
10%
6pm (n=95) 7pm (n=82) 8pm (n=73) 9pm (n=67) 10pm (n=53) 11pm (n=31) 12am (n=17) 1am (n=5)
29
Personal services
Supermarket/Grocery
Accommodation
Other retail
Other
Cafes/Restaurants
Pubs/Taverns/Bars
Takeaway food
Land use activity
LNMAR Report
Chart 7.7 – Proportion of open businesses Newtown
100%
7%
8%
8%
9%
10%
5%
90%
5%
6%
7%
8%
80%
70%
12%
16%
22%
44%
56%
50%
51%
18%
38%
5%
3%
30%
25%
20%
10%
4%
4%
8%
5%
6%
2%
14%
24%
5%
4%
3%
10%
12%
5%
3%
Cafes/Restaurants
0%
18%
18%
0%
12%
15%
7%
10%
3%
0%
6pm
7pm
8pm
9pm
10pm
11pm
12am
1am
(n=189) (n=165) (n=145) (n=127) (n=105) (n=56) (n=29)
(n=17)
Personal services
Supermarket/Grocery
Accommodation
Other
30
22%
17%
9%
0%
2%
40%
25%
58%
7%
30%
27%
29%
49%
60%
20%
25%
14%
38%
40%
18%
21%
Pubs/Taverns/Bars
14%
14%
40%
18%
2am
3am
(n=14)
(n=11)
Other retail
Takeaway food
4am
(n=5)
Intercept surveys
LNMAR Report
8. Intercept
surveys
Introduction
Intercept surveys were conducted with patrons of the
NTE in all precincts.
The survey was undertaken over three days in
December 2012, between 5pm and 5am. This provides a
more comprehensive overview of the patrons of each
suburb compared to 2010 surveys which were
undertaken between 11pm and 5am.
Note that sampling bias is a key error associated with
intercept surveys. While interviewers selected a random
sample of patrons, there was inevitably a bias to exclude
people who were heavily intoxicated (responses may not
be coherent or valid) or aggressive (occupational health
and safety risk). In addition, patrons moving in larger
groups were often less willing to participate.

Over half of all respondents interviewed intended to
visit a pub, bar, or nightclub (51%) – a slight
decrease from 55% in 2010.

One-quarter (24%) of respondents intended to visit
a restaurant – an increase from 16% in 2010.

Kings Cross (72%) and Pyrmont (66%) had the
highest proportion of respondents who intended to
visit a pub, bar or nightclub.

Surry Hills (37%) and Newtown (36%) had the
highest proportion of respondents intending to visit a
restaurant.

Over half (54%) of all respondents had consumed,
or intended to consume, an alcoholic drink during
the course of the evening. This was highest in
Newtown (58%) and Oxford Street (57%).

Over half (53%) of all respondents had come to the
precinct straight from home, with under half (44%)
socialising in other areas prior to visiting the precinct
– similar to the 2010 survey (52% and 42%).

Over one-third (36%) of respondents travelled to the
precincts by foot, with over one in five (22%) coming
by rail.

Three-fifths (60%) of respondents were likely to go
home once they had finished socialising in the
precinct, with the other two-thirds (39%) going on to
socialise in other areas – nearly two-fifths of whom
(38%) intended to go to the CBD.

Around two-fifths (39%) of respondents intended to
return home before midnight, one-quarter (26%)
between 12am-2am, and one-fifth (18%) between 24am.

One-third of respondents suggested they would
travel home on foot (33%), around one-fifth
travelling home by taxi (19%), rail (19%) or private
car (18%).

Overall three-fifths (60%) felt the precincts were
safe, and one-fifth (22%) suggested the precincts
were unsafe.

Newtown had the highest proportion of respondents
who felt the area was safe (81%). Kings Cross
(36%) and Oxford Street (35%) had the highest
proportion of respondents who felt the area was
unsafe.

Greater police presence was the overriding trigger
to heighten feelings of safety, mentioned by more
than two-fifths (43%) of respondents. Better lighting
(25%) and more security guards (24%) were also
suggested as mechanisms for improving safety.
Summary

Intercept surveys were conducted with patrons of
the NTE in all precincts. In total 987 people took part
in the intercept surveys, compared to 947 in 2010.

Over half (55%) were male (45% female).

Nearly half (49%) were aged 20-29 years old – a
decrease from 66% in 2010.

Less than one-fifth (17%) were aged 40 years or
older – an increase from 6% in 2010.

Over half (55%) of all respondents lived in the City
or Inner South. This is a slight increase on the 2010
survey (40%).

The main reason for visiting the precincts was to
socialise (46%) – a slight decrease compared to
2010 (58%).
31
Intercept surveys
LNMAR Report
Key findings
Late night profile
Participation
Nearly three-quarters (73%) of respondents were
interviewed before 11pm (27% after 11pm).
In total 987 people took part in the intercept surveys.
Table 8.1 presents the number of respondents for each
precinct. This indicates that nearly one-fifth (19%) of
respondents were interviewed in Newtown, more than
one-seventh (16%) took part in Oxford Street, and
around over one in eight took part in Pyrmont (13%),
Glebe (13%) and Kings Cross (13%).
Table 8.1 – Intercept survey respondents
Oxford Street (38%) and Newtown (34%) had the highest
proportion of respondents interviewed after 11pm, while
Kings Cross had the fewest (17%). It is anticipated that
this is perhaps due to interviewers screening intoxicated
people or people in groups during this period, rather than
lack of activity in Kings Cross.
A larger proportion of males were interviewed after 11pm
(57% compared to 52% before 11pm). There were also a
higher proportion of respondents under the age of 19
years old interviewed after 11pm (10% compared to 6%
before 11pm). This suggests that young males are likely
to be out later in the evening.
Precinct
Number of
respondents
% of total
respondents
Newtown
187
18.9%
Oxford Street
159
16.1%
Pyrmont
127
12.9%
Glebe
126
12.8%
Home location
Kings Cross
125
12.7%
CBD
113
11.4%
Respondents were asked for the name of their home
suburb or postcode.
Redfern
82
8.3%
Surry Hills
68
6.9%
Gender and age
Of respondents, 55% were male and 45% were female,
which is similar to the City of Sydney demographic profile
(53% and 47% respectively).
Chart 8.1 presents the age of respondents. This
indicates that nearly half (49%) of all respondents were
between the ages of 20 -29 years old, with less than one
in five aged 40 years or older (17%).
Chart 8.1 – Age distribution of respondents
6.9%
19 years and
under
16.4%
20-29
27.9%
48.8%
30-39
40 and over
In comparison with 2010 results, the proportion of
respondents aged 20-29 years old has decreased (from
66%) while the proportion of respondents aged 40 years
or older has more than doubled (from 6%).
32
Figure 2, overleaf, presents the proportion of visitor
home location per precinct. Across all precincts, the
majority of visitors were from the City and Inner South,
with a mix of visitors from all other origins.
Table 8.2 presents the top 10 responses for home
location across each precinct. In total over half (55%) of
all respondents lived in the City or Inner South. This is a
slight increase on the 2010 survey (40%). This home
location is consistent for all precincts with the exception
of Oxford Street (35%) and Surry Hills (47%).
In Oxford Street, one in seven respondents lived in North
Sydney and Hornsby (15%), and one in eight lived in the
Eastern Suburbs (12%).
In Surry Hills, one in eight respondents lived in the
Eastern Suburbs (13%) or the Inner South West (12%).
LNMAR Report
Figure 2 – Map and analysis of home locations
33
Intercept surveys
Intercept surveys
LNMAR Report
Table 8.2 – Top 10 home locations
Place of
residence
City and Inner
South
Eastern Suburbs
North Sydney and
Hornsby
Inner West
Inner South West
Parramatta
Ryde
Blacktown
Northern Beaches
Sutherland
CBD
Glebe
(n=111) (n=124)
Kings
Cross
(n=116)
Oxford
Newtown Street Pyrmont Redfern
(n=186) (n=158) (n=118) (n=76)
53.2%
50.9%
64.0%
35.4%
66.9%
76.3%
47.1%
55.3%
6.3%
9.7%
10.3%
8.6%
12.0%
11.0%
9.2%
13.2%
9.9%
13.5%
5.6%
8.6%
3.8%
15.2%
5.1%
3.9%
5.9%
7.9%
5.4%
16.1%
7.8%
8.6%
6.3%
5.1%
5.3%
4.4%
7.7%
4.5%
8.1%
0.9%
2.7%
0.0%
0.0%
5.6%
5.6%
3.2%
0.0%
0.0%
0.8%
5.2%
2.6%
0.0%
2.6%
2.6%
2.6%
7.5%
0.5%
1.6%
1.6%
1.1%
1.6%
6.3%
9.5%
5.7%
1.3%
1.9%
0.6%
2.5%
4.2%
1.7%
0.0%
0.0%
0.8%
3.9%
0.0%
0.0%
1.3%
0.0%
0.0%
11.8%
4.4%
7.4%
1.5%
2.9%
1.5%
5.9%
4.5%
2.5%
1.4%
1.0%
1.0%
Respondents were asked why they were visiting the
precinct. Nearly half of all respondents were going out
and socialising (46%) in the area, a slight decrease
compared to the 2010 survey (58%). Around one-quarter
of respondents were returning home (22%), a large
increase from just 3% of respondents intercepted in
2010.
Chart 8.2 presents reasons for visiting each precinct.
This indicates:
Surry Hills (54%) and Newtown (53%) had the
highest proportion of respondents who were going
out and socialising, while Redfern (33%) had the
lowest.

Redfern had the highest proportion of respondents
who were returning home (31%) and the highest
proportion that were passing through (20%).

Nearly one-quarter (25%) of respondents
intercepted in Kings Cross, Pyrmont and Newtown
were returning home.

Surry Hills (13%), Glebe (13%) and Kings Cross
(12%) had the highest proportion of respondents
going to work.
Reasons for visiting each precinct differed later in the
night with a higher proportion (51% in total) going out
and socialising in the areas, especially in the late night
precinct of Kings Cross (76%).
Attractions visited
Respondents intercepted were asked what kind of places
they intended to visit in the precinct. Over half of all
respondents interviewed intended to visit a pub, bar, or
nightclub (51%), a slight decrease from 55% in 2010.
34
Total
(n=957)
54.1%
Reasons for visiting

Surry
Hills
(n=68)
Also nearly a quarter of respondents (24%) intended to
visit a restaurant, an increase from 16% in 2010.
Chart 8.3 presents the attractions which respondents
intended to visit for each precinct. This indicates:

Kings Cross (72%) and Pyrmont (66%) had the
highest proportion of respondents who intended to
visit a pub, bar or nightclub, which reflects the
number of licenced venues in Kings Cross, and the
presence of the Star Casino in Pyrmont.

Newtown (30%) and Glebe (35%) had the lowest
proportion of respondents who intended to visit a
pub, bar or nightclub.

Surry Hills (37%) and Newtown (36%) had the
highest proportion of respondents who intended to
visit a restaurant. This reflects the nature of these
areas as key destinations for diners.

Redfern (13%) and Pyrmont (16%) had the lowest
proportion of respondents who intended to visit a
restaurant.
Intercept surveys
LNMAR Report
Chart 8.2 – Reasons for visiting precinct
100%
90%
80%
3.6%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
1.6%
4.8%
2.4%
10.8%
1.6%
7.0%
7.9%
4.0%
9.6%
2.6%
3.1%
3.8%
5.0%
8.2%
14.2%
12.7%
12.0%
10.2%
4.8%
7.3%
8.7%
9.5%
3.7%
1.7%
2.1%
4.2%
8.8%
5.9%
1.5%
19.5%
8.8%
Going out /
socialising in this
area
Returning home
10.2%
Passing through
22.5%
Going to work in
this area
4.4%
11.8%
8.0%
1.5%
4.4%
13.2%
7.1%
12.6%
70%
3.7%
4.9%
24.6%
60%
11.8%
21.2%
19.0%
50%
20.1%
24.8%
25.2%
Shopping in this
area
30.5%
40%
Other
30%
49.6%
20%
54.4%
52.9%
44.4%
47.8%
40.8%
45.9%
40.2%
Going to work in
another area
32.9%
Refused/Can't
say
10%
0%
CBD
(n=113)
Glebe
(n=126)
Kings Cross Newtown
(n=125)
(n=187)
Oxford
Street
(n=159)
Pyrmont
(n=127)
Redfern
(n=82)
Surry Hills
(n=68)
Total
(n=987)
Chart 8.3 – Attractions visited
100%
90%
80%
70%
2%
3%
3%
2%
10%
17%
20%
4%
14%
9%
5%
6%
13%
13%
2%
3%
3%
3%
8%
3%
9%
8%
8%
8%
21%
16%
10%
Restaurant
11%
15%
21%
Other
16%
23%
17%
37%
13%
32%
Pub, Bar,
Nightclub
Shop
8%
18%
50%
19%
2%
4%
5%
17%
11%
17%
2%
15%
7%
13%
16%
60%
14%
5%
2%
5%
5%
24%
Entertainment
facility
36%
40%
Strip club
30%
72%
20%
58%
66%
47%
52%
35%
10%
52%
51%
Service
establishment
30%
Hotel / Hostel
0%
CBD
(n=107)
35
Cafe
Glebe
(n=118)
Kings Cross Newtown
(n=121)
(n=185)
Oxford
Street
(n=149)
Pyrmont
(n=119)
Redfern
(n=72)
Surry Hills
(n=63)
Total
(n=934)
Intercept surveys
LNMAR Report
Visiting licenced venues
Socialising prior to visiting
Chart 8.4 presents the number of licensed venues which
respondents suggested they intended to visit.
International literature suggests that pre-loading can
have an impact on anti-social behaviour in the NTE as
patrons are already intoxicated before arriving at
licensed venues.
A higher proportion of respondents over 40 years old
intended to visit non-licensed venues only (44%)
compared to 20-29 year olds (31%). A higher proportion
of respondents 19 years of age or younger intended to
visit two (15%) or three (3%) licensed venues compared
to all other age groups (11% and 1%).
Nearly one-a third of visitors in Kings Cross (31%) and a
one-quarter in Surry Hills (24%) had visited at least two
licensed venues.
Chart 8.4 – Number of licensed venues visited
1 licensed
venue
35%
2 licensed
venues
53%
1%
11%
Non
licensed
venues only

Newtown had the highest proportion of respondents
who had travelled to the precinct from other areas
(29%).

Around one-fifth (21%) of all respondents had
travelled from the CBD.

Surry Hills had the highest proportion of
respondents traveling straight from home (74%).
Table 8.3 – Alcohol consumption
No
53.1%
53.2%
54.5%
57.8%
57.2%
53.2%
42.5%
51.5%
53.9%
26.5%
42.1%
32.5%
36.4%
31.4%
37.9%
40.0%
39.7%
35.4%
36
Table 8.4 presents the location of respondents prior to
visiting the precinct. This indicates:
Over half of all respondents had travelled straight
from home to each precinct, with the exception of
Newtown (40%).
Newtown (58%) and Oxford Street (57%) had the highest
proportion of respondents who intended to have an
alcoholic drink, and Redfern (43%) had the lowest
proportion. Table 7.3 presents the proportion of
respondents who had consumed alcohol for each
precinct.
Yes
Location prior to precinct visit

Respondents were asked if they had, or intended to
have, an alcoholic drink during the night. Over half (54%)
of all respondents had, or intended to, have an alcoholic
drink.
CBD (n=113)
Glebe (n=126)
Kings Cross (n=123)
Newtown (n=187)
Oxford Street (n=159)
Pyrmont (n=124)
Redfern (n=80)
Surry Hills (n=68)
Total (n=980)
Overall over half (53%) of all respondents had come to
the precinct straight from home, with under half (44%)
socialising in other areas prior to visiting the precinct.
This was similar to the 2010 survey when 52% of
respondents travelled from home and 42% travelled from
another area. Newtown had the highest proportion of
participants who had been socialising elsewhere (60%),
followed by Oxford Street (48%).
3 licensed
venues
Alcohol consumption
Precinct
Respondents were asked if they had been out working or
socialising in other areas before they came to the
precinct.
Maybe
15.0%
4.8%
9.8%
5.3%
11.3%
7.3%
16.3%
8.8%
9.3%
Intercept surveys
LNMAR Report
Table 8.4 – Location prior to precinct visit
Prior location
CBD
Glebe
Kings Cross
Newtown
Oxford Street
Pyrmont
Redfern
Surry Hills
Another area
Home
CBD
(n=109)
36.7%
0.0%
0.9%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
7.3%
55.0%
Glebe
(n=124)
16.9%
6.5%
0.8%
0.0%
0.0%
1.6%
1.6%
0.0%
14.5%
58.1%
Kings
Cross
(n=117)
18.8%
0.0%
1.7%
0.0%
4.3%
0.0%
0.9%
0.0%
14.5%
59.8%
Oxford
Newtown Street
(n=187) (n=159)
15.5%
25.8%
2.7%
0.0%
1.1%
2.5%
3.2%
0.6%
1.6%
1.9%
1.1%
0.0%
2.1%
0.0%
3.2%
3.1%
29.4%
14.5%
40.1%
51.6%
Mode of travel to precinct
Respondents were asked what mode of transport they
had used to get to the precinct. Over one-third (36%) of
respondents travelled to the precincts by foot, with over
one in five (22%) coming by rail. In addition:


Pyrmont had the highest proportion of respondents
arriving by foot (59%), followed by the CBD (44%).
Kings Cross had the highest proportion of
respondents arriving by rail (35%), followed by Surry
Hills (28%).
The most popular modes of transport differ for each
precinct, with locational factors playing an important role
in the preferred mode of transport for users.
Overall three-fifths (60%) of respondents were likely to
go home once they had finished socialising in the
precinct. The other two-thirds (39%) suggested they
were likely to socialise in other areas.
Chart 7.5 presents preferences for socialising after
visiting the precinct. This indicates:

Glebe had the highest proportion of respondents
who planned on socialising in other areas (55%)
followed by Redfern (45%). This may be due to
these precincts not being the primary destination for
respondents, and a place for passing through – as
indicated in Chart 7.2 above.

The CBD had the lowest proportion of respondents
who planned on socialising in other areas (20%).
37
Redfern
(n=72)
16.7%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
1.4%
6.9%
0.0%
5.6%
69.4%
Surry
Hills
(n=68)
14.7%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
11.8%
73.5%
Total
(n=957)
20.8%
1.4%
1.2%
0.7%
1.3%
2.4%
1.3%
1.2%
15.0%
54.9%
Table 8.5 (overleaf) presents the location that
respondents intended to go to socialise after they had
visited the precinct. Nearly two-fifths of respondents
(38%) intended to go to the CBD, with one-fifth (23%)
staying in the same precinct to socialise.
This also shows:

Around one-fifth (23%) of respondents intend to
socialise in other areas within the same precinct
before they go home.

The CBD had the highest proportion of respondents
who were staying within the same precinct (70%).

Nearly three-fifths of respondents visiting Glebe
(58%) and half (55%) of respondents visiting
Pyrmont expected to visit the CBD before heading
home.

Of those visiting Redfern, more than one-third (36%)
expected to visit the CBD, one-fifth (22%) expected
to visit Pyrmont, and one-sixth (17%) expected to
visit Kings Cross.
Socialising post precinct visit
Respondents were asked if they planned on going out
eating, drinking or socialising in other areas before they
went home.
Pyrmont
(n=117)
19.7%
0.0%
0.9%
0.0%
0.9%
15.4%
0.0%
0.0%
8.5%
54.7%
Intercept surveys
LNMAR Report
Chart 8.5 – Socialising post precinct visit
100%
4%
4%
3%
2%
1%
7%
1%
1%
2%
3%
Yes
90%
80%
34%
43%
43%
Probably go out
49%
70%
43%
50%
59%
60%
48%
59%
Probably go
home
6%
50%
11%
14%
17%
7%
15%
11%
No - heading
home
16%
Refused
40%
5%
26%
30%
6%
16%
15%
29%
8%
14%
20%
24%
38%
26%
15%
10%
26%
27%
19%
11%
0%
Can't say
22%
16%
5%
CBD
(n=113)
Glebe
(n=125)
Kings Cross Newtown
(n=118)
(n=187)
Oxford
Street
(n=159)
Pyrmont
(n=124)
Redfern
(n=80)
Surry Hills
(n=68)
Total
(n=974)
Table 8.5 – Location post precinct visit
Current precinct
location
Next destination
CBD
(n=23)*
CBD
Glebe
Kings Cross
Newtown
Oxford Street
Pyrmont
Redfern
Surry Hills
Other locations
Same precinct
0.0%
8.7%
0.0%
0.0%
8.7%
0.0%
0.0%
13.0%
69.6%
38
Glebe
(n=69)
58.0%
14.5%
1.4%
0.0%
2.9%
1.4%
1.4%
5.8%
14.5%
Kings
Cross
(n=39)
41.0%
0.0%
0.0%
2.6%
0.0%
0.0%
2.6%
17.9%
35.9%
Newtown
(n=62)
17.7%
6.5%
12.9%
3.2%
3.2%
0.0%
0.0%
32.3%
24.2%
Oxford
Street
(n=66)
45.5%
1.5%
13.6%
0.0%
0.0%
1.5%
7.6%
15.2%
15.2%
Pyrmont
(n=44)
54.5%
0.0%
13.6%
2.3%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
11.4%
18.2%
Redfern
(n=36)
36.1%
0.0%
16.7%
0.0%
0.0%
22.2%
8.3%
2.8%
13.9%
Surry
Hills
(n=29)*
20.7%
0.0%
6.9%
3.4%
3.4%
0.0%
0.0%
48.3%
17.2%
Total
(n=368)
38.0%
1.4%
11.7%
0.8%
1.1%
3.8%
0.5%
2.7%
17.4%
22.6%
Intercept surveys
LNMAR Report
Chart 8.7 – Departure times
Mode of travel post precinct visit
Those respondents planning to go to another area were
asked how they intended to travel there. One-third (33%)
said they intended to walk, and nearly one-quarter (23%)
said they would travel by taxi. Chart 7.6 presents the
modes of transport for respondents post precinct visit.
3.9%
Before
midnight
Midnight - 1am
7.4%
1am - 2am
4.8%
39.2%
7.7%
Chart 8.6 – Mode of travel post precinct visit
2am - 3 am
3am - 4am
1.3%
4am - 5am
10.6%
Foot
12.1%
Later than 5am
Taxi
33.4%
Refused
11.4%
Rail
14.7%
15.2%
Can't say
Bus
Private car
Can't say
17.6%
21.7%
Bike
In addition:

Over two-fifths (44%) of respondents going to Kings
Cross were getting a taxi, nearly one-quarter (23%)
were walking, and one in seven (16%) were
travelling by rail.

One-third (33%) of respondents travelling to the
CBD were walking, one-quarter (24%) were getting
a taxi, and one-fifth (20%) were getting the bus.
Departure times
Respondents were asked what time they were planning
to go home. Around two-fifths (39%) of respondents
intended on returning home before midnight, one-quarter
(26%) intended to return home between midnight and
2am, and one-fifth (18%) between 2am and 4am. Chart
7.7 presents the departure times for respondents.
39
In addition:

A higher proportion of females intended to leave
before midnight (43%) compared to males (36%).

A higher proportion of respondents over 40 years
old (54%) intended to leave before midnight,
compared to those aged 30-39 years (44%) and 2029 years (32%).

Between 2am - 4am a higher proportion of
respondents under 19years (19%) and 20-29 years
old (22%) intend to leave, compared to those aged
30-39 (16%) and 40 years and over (9%).
Chart 8.8 presents intended times of departure for each
precinct.
Intercept surveys
LNMAR Report
Chart 8.8 – Departure times by precinct
CBD
(n=224)
19.2%
Chart 8.9 – Mode of travel home
1.1%
34.4%
46.4%
15.1%
36.7%
Glebe
(n=60)
11.7%
Kings
Cross
(n=116)
12.5%
Pyrmont
(n=85)
Surry Hills
(n=51)
Other
areas
(n=55)
17.8%
34.6%
12.9%
10.2%
9.1%
Bus
52.9%
Bike
18.5%
30.6%
59.2%
60.8%
40.0%
50.9%

Pyrmont had the highest proportion of respondents
travelling home by foot (48%), while Oxford Street
had the lowest proportion (16%).

Travelling home by foot was the most common
response in all precincts, with the exception of the
CBD and Surry Hills.

Travelling home by rail was the most popular mode
for respondents in the CBD (29%).

Glebe (30%) and Surry Hills (29%) had the highest
proportion of respondents travelling home by bus.
Midnight - 3am
After 3am

Kings Cross (28%), Oxford Street (27%) and CBD
(26%) had the highest proportion of respondents
travelling home by taxi.

The CBD had the highest proportion of respondents
travelling home by private car (29%), compared to
other precincts.
Chart 8.8 indicates that:

Surry Hills (61%) and Redfern (59%) had the
highest proportion of respondents leaving before
midnight.

Glebe (52%) and CBD (46%) had the highest
proportion of respondents leaving between midnight
and 3am.

Oxford Street (35%) and Kings Cross (27%) had the
highest proportion of respondents leaving after 3am.
Mode of travel home
All respondents were asked how they intended to travel
home, or to the place they were staying. One-third
indicated that they would travel home on foot (33%) with
similar proportions, around one-fifth, getting home by taxi
(19%), rail (19%) or private car (18%).
40
19.2%
It was found that:
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Before midnight
Private car
42.4%
44.7%
33.3%
5.9%
Taxi
Rail
30.0%
35.0%
35.0%
Oxford St
(n=100)
Redfern
(n=49)
33.0%
45.7%
27.6%
26.7%
Newtown
(n=136)
Foot
51.7%
Intercept surveys
LNMAR Report
Perceptions of safety
Respondents were asked how safe or unsafe they felt in
each precinct. Overall three-fifths (60%) of respondents
felt the precincts were safe, and one-fifth (22%) suggest
the precincts were unsafe. Chart 8.10 presents
perceptions of safety for each precinct. This indicates:

Newtown had the highest proportion of respondents
who felt the area was safe (81%), followed by
Pyrmont (60%) and Glebe (60%).

Surry Hills had the highest proportion of
respondents who felt the precinct was very safe
(23%), followed by Newtown (22%).

CBD had the smallest proportion of respondents
(10%) who felt the area was unsafe

Kings Cross (36%) and Oxford Street (35%) had the
highest proportion of respondents who felt the area
was unsafe.

Kings Cross (15%) and Oxford Street (13%) also
had the highest proportions of respondents who felt
the area was very unsafe.
Chart 8.10 – Perceptions of safety by precinct
CBD (n=108)
Glebe (n=120)
10.2%
32.4%
7.5%
Kings Cross (n=117)
13.3%
15.4%
46.3%
19.2%
20.5%
53.3%
17.1%
Newtown (n=183) 5.5% 7.1% 6.6%
Oxford Street (n=151)
13.2%
Pyrmont (n=111) 3.6%
Redfern (n=75)
Surry Hills (n=65)
TOTAL
9.9%
Very unsafe (1)
16.2%
21.9%
13.5%
37.3%
32.3%
20%
Unsafe (2)
8.0%
30.8%
18.1%
30%
15.2%
46.8%
29.3%
15.3%
10%
30.8%
39.7%
18.0%
3.1% 10.8%
0%
41
21.9%
24.0%
6.9%
6.7%
59.0%
18.0%
1.3%
11.1%
23.1%
44.9%
40%
50%
Unconcerned (3)
60%
14.8%
70%
Safe (4)
80%
90%
Very safe (5)
100%
Intercept surveys
LNMAR Report
Table 8.6 –Alternative triggers to improve safety
Triggers to improve safety
Respondents provided a number of suggestions on how
to reduce crime or increase feelings of safety. Greater
police presence was the overriding trigger to heighten
feelings of safety, mentioned by nearly half (43%) of
respondents. This corresponds with the literature which
highlights the link between responsible guardians, such
as police and security, with reduced opportunity for antisocial behaviour.
Better lighting (25%) and more security guards (24%)
were also suggested as mechanisms for improving
safety.
Chart 8.11 presents the most popular initiatives to
improve safety in each precinct.
Table 8.6 presents the alternative triggers to increase
safety mentioned by respondents in Kings Cross and in
total across all precincts.
Interestingly, this indicates that greater control on the use
of drugs (24%) and alcohol (16%) was a key trigger for
respondents in Kings Cross. The literature identifies the
potential risks associated with pre-loading and mixing
alcohol and drug use in resulting in ASB in the NTE.
Chart 8.11 – Triggers to improve safety by precinct
10.6%
15.2%
1.4%
8.2%
Redfern (n=73)
43.8%
42.5%
15.1%
12.3%
15.1%
1.7%
15.4%
4.3%
11.1%
Oxford Street (n=157)
15.9%
15.9%
7.6%
14.6%
2.7%
65.8%
More
police
1.8%
10.6%
20.4%
4.4%
5.3%
5.6%
Glebe (n=124)
CBD (n=102)
11.8%
14.7%
0.0%
42
54.9%
20.0%
Security
guards
39.8%
Longer
shopping
hours
38.7%
40.3%
29.8%
16.1%
36.3%
16.7%
11.8%
Better
lighting
42.7%
26.1%
23.6%
20.3%
30.2%
15.9%
18.7%
19.8%
Newtown (n=182)
Kings Cross (n=113)
Other
32.5%
29.1%
Pyrmont (n=117)
4.5%
Nothing /
indifferent
40.9%
53.0%
31.8%
30.3%
Surry Hills (n=66)
More
people /
activity
40.2%
31.4%
40.0%
60.0%
80.0%
Precinct
Less drugs (general)
Less alcohol (general)
Less unruly people / less
drunks
Better public transport
CCTV
Less bars / clubs / pubs
Restrict / ban late night alcohol
sales
Reduce bouncers
More cabs
Close bars / clubs / pubs early
Kings
Cross
Total
24.2%
16.1%
17.3%
20.5%
11.3%
6.5%
11.3%
6.5%
6.5%
10.3%
9.7%
2.7%
4.8%
6.5%
4.8%
3.2%
3.2%
2.2%
1.1%
3.8%
LNMAR Report
9. Points to
consider
Points to consider when reading this report

This report is based on data collected over two
periods, on Friday 14 and Saturday 22 December
2012 between 5pm–5am.

Data on pedestrian safety was collected at 84 count
points across three late night trading precincts of
George Street, Oxford Street and Kings Cross and
five of the City’s main streets: King Street, Crown
Street, Glebe Point Road, Harris Street and Redfern
Street.

There are a range of definitions of night time
precincts – this survey uses the definition of the night
time city proposed in the City’s Open Sydney. This
definition encompasses a broader range of times
(starting at 6pm, acknowledging post-work and study
activities) and environments.

When drawing comparisons between 2010 and 2012
intercept survey data, it is important to note that a
much wider area was surveyed in 2012 than in 2010
(refer to table 3.1 in Methodology), and that the
survey period started at 5pm in 2012, rather than
11pm in 2010,

The key objective of this research has been to
identify combinations of risk factors which impact on
the performance of the NTE. The purpose of this
research is to identify the areas of focus for the City’s
active place management responses, as well as
locations where a precautionary approach to the
development of the NTE should be applied.

The City acknowledges that there remain some gaps
in the available data, including crime and late night
and licenced premises density data.

However, the data collected in this research does
provide a clear indication of certain times and places
where issues and impacts are particularly prevalent

The City intends to update this research regularly
and will incorporate additional data and key literature
sources as they become available.
43
Points to consider
LNMAR Report
10. Further
reading
Further reading
Other publications
Brayford J., Deering J., 2008, ‘Night-Time Economy’:
An Evaluation of a Pilot Project that Aims to Reduce
Alcohol-Related Violence in the City of Newport – the
‘Night-Time Economy Project’: Final Report to Newport
City Council
Donkin, S., Briks D., 2007, Victims and Offenders of
Night-time Economy Violence, UCL
Hadfield, P., 2013, 'Safer Public Spaces: Initiatives by
Ten European Cities' in French Forum for Urban Security
and European Forum for Urban Security (eds.) Safer
Drinking Scenes: Alcohol, Cities and Nightlife. Bilingual
French/English Version. Paris: EFuS/FFSU
Hadfield, P. and Measham, F., 2011, Lost Orders?
Alcohol and Law Enforcement in England and Wales:
Final Report to the Portman Group. London: The
Portman Group
Documents accessible on the City of
Sydney website
www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/sydneyatnight
City of Sydney, 2013, OPEN Sydney, Future Directions
for Sydney at Night, Strategy and Action Plan 2013 –
2030
City of Sydney, 2011, Discussion Paper: OPEN Sydney,
Future Directions for Sydney at Night
Parsons-Brinckerhoff, 2011, Late Night Management
Areas Research – City of Sydney
Phil Hadfield, 2011, Night-Time Economy Management:
International Research and Practice. A Review for the
City of Sydney
Bevan, T., Turnham, A., Longwood, M & Hadfield P,
2011, Sydney’s Night Time Economy: Cost Benefit
Analysis. A Report for the City of Sydney Council
National Drug Law Enforcement Research
Fund publications
http://www.ndlerf.gov.au/publications.html
National Drug and Law Enforcement Research Fund,
2013, Patron Offending and Intoxication in Night-Time
Entertainment Districts (POINTED): Final Report
National Drug and Law Enforcement Research Fund,
2012, Dealing with alcohol-related harm and the nighttime economy (DANTE): Final Report
44
Hadfield, P. and Newton, A., 2010, Alcohol, Crime and
Disorder in the Night-time Economy. Factsheet. London:
Alcohol Concern
Hadfield, P., Noga, H., Large, J. and Jones, R., 2010,
Visitor Drinking, Late-Night Refreshment and
Transportation in the Camden Special Policy Areas: Final
Report to the London Borough of Camden. August 2010.
Summarised at pages 78-85 of Camden's Statement of
Licensing Policy
Ruston, D., Hadfield, P., and Sanderson, E., 2011,
Liverpool City Council Cumulative Impact Policy
Consultation. Project Number 11048. Birmingham:
M.E.L. Research and Liverpool City Council
Wickman, M., 2012, Alcohol consumption in the nighttime economy: working paper 55, GLA Economics