The NSW Government has announced significant changes to Sydney’s controversial ‘lockout laws’ as its own figures show continued record low levels of violence in venues.
After almost six years in the dark, the Berejiklian Government yesterday foretold that from 14 January 2020 licensed venues in the Sydney CBD and Oxford Street will no longer be required shut out patrons at 1:30am.
Venues with good records will have the 3am last drinks curfew extended to 3:30.
Restrictions after midnight will also be removed, including serving of cocktails, RTDs with ABV over five per cent, and shots, as well as the use of glass.
Bottleshops across the state will also return to midnight closing Monday to Saturday, 11pm Sundays.
In line with the recommendations of the Government’s own Joint Select Committee, restrictions will remain in place in Kings Cross.
Contrary to recommendations by the Joint Select Committee, the mandatory cessation of service rule will remain in place in the CBD and Kings Cross, with a small extension for selected venues.
The news comes as Liquor & Gaming champions its latest list of the State’s “violent venues”, again posting no targets in the Level 1 category and only four in Level 2, improving by two fewer names on the previous list.
The results highlight the obsolescence of the laws introduced in 2014 to curb what was sensationally portrayed as an epidemic of violence in the city, with the causes clearly outside of the licensed premises yet squarely put upon them.
L&G director Sean Goodchild says numbers seen on the flailing violent venues list “continue a longer-term trend with data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research showing alcohol-related non-domestic assaults falling at around seven per cent per year”.
Further discouraged by George Street’s tumultuous transformation, figures show patron numbers in the CBD have suffered greatly in the years since the laws were introduced, with economic damage estimated at $13bn annually.
The AHA NSW has always strongly opposed the blanket measures, and suggest the change will help the city rebound.
“We welcome their removal and now ask all sides of politics to come together to work to re-invigorate the city’s nightlife and return Sydney to its status as Australia’s only global city,” proffers CEO John Whelan.
The Government says it will monitor the impact of the changes, and conduct another review in 12 months. Minister for Western Sydney, carrying the portfolio of Jobs, Investment & Tourism, Stuart Ayres, has been named for implementation and the consequent review.
“It’s time to embrace a 24-hour economy that creates jobs, fosters arts, culture, live performance and safety on our streets,” says Ayres.
“You don’t have to trade safety for liveability, but we all need to take responsibility for making Sydney the best it can be.”
