New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell today announced that some of the liquor law reforms targeting street violence will begin on Monday 24 February.
From that date, 1.30am lockouts and 3am last drinks in the Sydney CBD Entertainment and Kings Cross Precincts and a statewide ban on takeaway alcohol from 10pm will come into force.
The legislative measures that will come into effect on 24 February include:
- Creation of the new Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct;
- 1.30am lockouts enforced at hotels, registered clubs, nightclubs and karaoke bars across the Sydney CBD Entertainment and Kings Cross Precincts;
- 3am cease service of alcohol in those venues across the Sydney CBD Entertainment and Kings Cross Precincts;
- Introduction of temporary banning orders for troublemakers in the Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct;
- A freeze on new liquor licences and approvals for existing licences across the new Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct; and
- A ban on takeaway alcohol sales after 10pm across NSW.
“The NSW Government makes no apologies for these tough measures – businesses and patrons will need to adjust to the changes because improving the safety and amenity of the CBD is in everyone’s interests,” O’Farrell said.
“I expect the vast majority of venues will do the right thing and implement the new trading conditions without incident. However, any failure to comply can result in fines of up to $11,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 12 months – and is an offence that can incur a strike under the NSW Government’s Three Strikes disciplinary scheme," he said.
An information and awareness campaign targeting both licensed venues and consumers will be rolled out to alert them to the new restrictions. This will include direct notification to affected licensees, briefings for liquor accords and industry peak bodies, signage and flyers for licensed venues, and advertising.
A plan of management is being developed for the Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct that will impose additional special licence conditions on venues in the precinct from April. These measures could include a range of conditions such as bans on glass, drink restrictions and requirements for RSA marshals.
Free buses running every ten minutes from Kings Cross to the CBD to connect with existing NightRide services on Friday and Saturday nights have already commenced.
This is a knee jerk from the NSW Premier, as usual Barry Ofarrel has shown he is just full of huff and puff and no action. They need to put proper consultation measures in place so that everyone has a win win outcome. I support change but with change you need to have consulting measure in place. Well done Barry Huff & Puff you have failed again.