The latest list of ‘violent venues’ shows incidents plummeting – again – with just one pub in Tier 1 restrictions, but still no sign of The Star.
Liquor & Gaming NSW’s updated list released today shows seven licensed venues falling from the list after achieving fewer than 12 incidents in the past 12 months. Only Home nightclub remains on the top restrictions, unchanged with 19 incidents.
Significantly, the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust, which includes ANZ Stadium, has been removed, after debuting in the last report (December, 2015) with the minimum 12 violent incidents.
Also dropping their restrictions are Iris’ Crown Hotel in Parramatta, Feros Group’s Lone Pine Tavern in Rooty Hill, Colin Parras’ Peach Tree Hotel in Penrith, World Bar in Kings Cross, and Ryans Hotels’ Miranda Hotel.
Former list-topper Merivale’s ivy has continued its path to amnesty, down to just 12 occurrences. Similarly, the Plantation Hotel in Coffs Harbour dropped three to 18 incidents, putting it onto Tier 2 restrictions.
Meanwhile, questions continue around the exemptions afforded to the casino(s). During the same period ivy dropped from its peak down to just 14 incidents, BOCSAR data shows The Star recorded 93 violent assaults.
L&G NSW’s latest report notes the (undeniable) improvement on the figures when the violent venues scheme began.
June 2016 cites 180 assaults in venues, representing a 10 per cent drop since the last report and a whopping 86 per cent reduction to the 1270 incidents when the scheme began in 2008.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Justice Troy Grant said it is “encouraging” to see the number of incidents dropping consistently, particularly as the NSW Government concludes its community discussions to submit to the Callinan review of Sydney’s lockouts and other restrictions.
“We’ve had a great response to the roundtables and Government will now compile a report and provide to former Justice Ian Callinan, who is carrying out the independent review of our liquor laws, which will report back in August,” said Grant.