By Ian Neubauer
The NSW Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing (OLGR) has invoked new powers under the 2007 Liquor Licensing Act to make a Sydney venue remove glass from the premises.
The Star Bar and Grill in Sydney’s CBD has been ordered to serve drinks in plastic cups and remove all glasses from the floor by 11:30pm following an series of allegedly violent assaults.
The Maloney Hotel Group, which owns the Star Bar and seven other venues across NSW and QLD, was not available for comment today (October 15).
The OLGR’s ruling comes in the wake of a three-month trial that saw dozens of Sydney venues voluntarily serve drinks in moulded plastic cups after dark.
But it is the first case where a licensed venue in the city has been forced to remove glass to ensure patron safety.
NSW Director of Liquor and Gaming, Albert Gardner, said he would impose similar restrictions at any venue deemed to be a risk to public safety.
“The OLGR and [police] will be working closely to identify other licensed venues where similar conditions could be imposed to reduce serious assaults and improve patron safety,” he said.
“Liquor inspectors will be closely monitoring compliance with licence conditions once they are imposed. Failure to comply with licence conditions carries a maximum penalty of $11,000 and or imprisonment for 12 months.”
In addition to the removal of glass, the Star Bar and other venues singled out for endangering public safety will be required by law to preserve a crime scene by notifying police immediately and keeping the area and any evidence intact.
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