The joint select committee on Sydney's night-time economy, which released its report on Monday, made 40 recommendations. But it concluded that Kings Cross was "not yet sufficiently changed to warrant a complete reversal" of the lockout laws. "The committee finds that due to the historical nature of Kings Cross, venue density and the small size of the precinct, there is a high risk that if the 2014 laws were removed, violence would increase and the rate of assaults would begin to rise again," the report said. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video The inquiry found that there were 1921 fewer non-domestic assaults in the Kings Cross precinct - a decrease of 52.8 per cent - between January 2014 and March 2019 as a result of the laws.

It recommended a further review of the 2014 laws in the Kings Cross precinct in 12 months. The committee recommended that the City of Sydney implement a a "streetscape and furniture improvement plan" for Kings Cross to make it "more pedestrian friendly, eliminate black spots, improve signage, increase lighting and improve amenity". The committee chair, Liberal MLC Natalie Ward, said Sydney had changed its ways since the laws were introduced five years ago. "Sydney is not the same city it was in 2014," she said. "Safety and a vibrant night-time economy should not be, and are not, mutually exclusive."

Ms Ward said venues that made "an early guilt plea" should be rewarded for their behaviour. The committee recommended that Liquor and Gaming NSW "incentivise, recognise and reward" licensees for ongoing good behaviour. The committee's deputy chair, independent MP Alex Greenwich, urged the government to move on the recommendations as soon as possible. "It's my hope that by Mardi Gras 2020 our night-time economy will once again be flourishing and fun," he said. "Good things can happen after 1.30am. I met my husband on the dance floor in a gay bar on Oxford Street. With the repeal of the lockouts, I hope others in Sydney will be so lucky." Mr Greenwich said he would like the lockout laws to be axed in Kings Cross in the future.

Loading "These recommendations have been carefully considered and will make Sydney a safe, vibrant and global city that all Sydneysiders can be proud of," he said. Labor welcomed the changes to venues in the CBD but its spokesman for music and the night-time economy John Graham said Kings Cross "cannot be allowed to return to how it was". "It will remain heavily regulated," he said. "We accept that evidence shows that the effect of the lockout laws has diminished over time in the CBD." Hospital staff warned the changes could lead to a return to the "brutal" conditions of 2014.