By Andrew Starke
Four Queensland establishments subject to strict new restrictions have been named by the State’s Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing.
While initially reluctant to name any of the eight pubs and clubs where total glass bans will be enforced, the regulator has now indicated that Cocktails and Dreams at Surfers Paradise, the Alexandra Hills Hotel in Brisbane's south-east, Bank Niteclub in Townsville and The Stadium at Rockhampton are the first four facing restriction from April 29.
A further four ‘high risk’ premises have not yet been identified and are awaiting the outcome of a judicial review.
The four named venues are now subject to Section 97 of the 1992 Liquor Act, although the restrictions do not apply to the entire premises in all cases.
These venues now have three weeks to find alternative serving options or face fines of up to $10,000.
However, Bank Niteclub owner, Shawn Anderson, said there hadn't been any serious incidents in the past year just arguments and scuffles.
"We've had tempered glass for three years (and) never had a glassing since we've owned the business," he told The Courier Mail.
"I'm not happy about this classification. It's very disappointing that the Queensland Government can control the future of private enterprise without benchmarks or statistics or facts – they're just going off police incident reports."
Last year liquor licensing authorities warned 77 establishments – the majority in the city’s nightclub districts: the Brisbane's CBD and Fortitude Valley – that they faced restrictions if it was determined that they were ‘high risk’ venues.
Since legislation was introduced in October 2009, the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation has examined each of these venues, with each establishment judged on its merits and track record.
More information on the restrictions and options open to proprietors and managers is available by clicking here.