NSW Liquor & Gaming has released its latest list of the State’s violent venues, showing one less culprit and reflecting that ivy is still one of the safest places in Australia.
The list is produced twice per year by the regulator, with this round calling out 12 venues – down one from the May edition, citing 18 fewer incidents overall.
“It’s pleasing that several previously named venues have improved their safety record and have either been downgraded from level one to level two, or removed from the list completely,” says Liquor & Gaming NSW Deputy Secretary Paul Newson.
L&G reports a reduction of 86 per cent in incidents since the scheme began in 2008, down from 1,270 to 183 this report.
Significant this round was Argyle Hotel, up four incidents since its previously co-licensed sister venue Munich Brau Haus debuted last round to take the dubious honour of first place. The two entities were subsequently separated, accounting for Argyle’s leap to the top.
Newcastle’s Sydney Junction Hotel, recently purchased in a portfolio acquisition by Iris Group, cleaned its act to the tune of nine incidents, taking it down to level two from its poll position last report.
And further demonstrating the power of incentive, Merivale’s uber-patronised ivy – all too often leader of the list – similarly fell to level two, with just 17 incidents in the past 12 months.
A posterchild for why the stigmatised list should take patron numbers into account in the equation, ivy’s incident rate in the past year amounts to just 0.85 per 100,000 people – while the Sydney LGA outside remains at more than 446 assaults per 100,000.
The scheme and biannual list report the number of venues recording 12 or more violent incidents over the prior year. Those with more than 19 incidents make the top tier. All are subject to strict conditions and increased monitoring, and any making the list vilified by perspective-lacking publications around the State and nation.
“Venues on the list are closely monitored and incur substantial risk-based loadings to their annual licence fees to offset the additional regulatory oversight.”
Level 1
The Argyle Sydney, The Rocks 25
The Coast Hotel, Coffs Harbour 19
Level 2
Ivy, Sydney 17
Sunken Monkey Hotel, Erina 17
Sydney Junction Hotel, Hamilton 16
Amaroo Hotel, Dubbo 15
Narellan Hotel, Narellan 13
King Street Hotel, Newcastle West 13
Beach Rd Hotel, Bondi Beach 12
Camden Hotel, Camden 12
Sugar Lounge, Manly 12
Fusion, Cronulla 12