NSW 'Hot Spots' Targeted in Licensing Crackdown

By Amelia Ball

Almost 50 NSW pubs, clubs and nightclubs will be hit with radical new licensing conditions from December 1, following a crackdown from the State Government unveiled this week.

Premier Rees has announced a package of reforms that aim to curb “anti-social drinking and alcohol-related violence” by targeting “known alcohol violence hotspots”.

The Police Commissioner provided Premier with a list of ‘problem venues’ based on information supplied by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics (BOSCAR), with a total of 48 premises under the spotlight throughout the state.

Changes to hit these identified venues include mandatory 2:00am lockouts, a cease on the service of alcohol 30 minutes prior to closing, and plastic or polycarbonate beer cups to be used after midnight, at which time a no shot rule and drink purchase limits will also be imposed.

Also among the more significant changes is a ten-minute freeze on the sale of alcohol to be enforced every hour after midnight, which will require a high level of commitment and planning from venues.

A spokesperson from the Premier’s office said all measures will be policed, with venues risking losing their licences if caught in breach, adding that both the measures and venues on the hit list were ‘fluid’.

“If one part of what we’re doing doesn’t seem to be working, then it will be changed,” the spokesperson said.
Similarly, venues can be removed from the hit list, with a safety star rating and reward system to be developed for those embracing the measures.

“Our new measures are not targeted at drinkers who do the right things or venues that are currently providing a safe drinking environment,” the premier said.

“We’ll also review security arrangements in each of these venues and work with them to provide extra security, drink marshals, security at nearby taxi ranks and additional transport options,” Rees said. 

The NSW Government will provide targeted and high visibility policing in these so-called ‘hotspots’ and undertake a targeted advertising campaign in ‘high-risk venues’.

The NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR) will work with the liquor industry over coming months to implement these new reforms.

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[Fri 31/10/2008 12:55:39]