By Andrew Starke
A crowded sporting schedule over January and February will see hotels and registered clubs granted extended trading hours to accommodate late-night viewing.
Extended trading is provided for in the Liquor Amendment (Special Events – Extended Trading Periods) Regulation 2011, which has been made under section 13 of the Liquor Act 2007.
The decision will allow sports fans to watch the 2011 Asian Cup (football) being held in Qatar (7 to 29 January 2011), the 2011 Commonwealth Bank Cricket Series involving England and Australia (16 January to 6 February 2011) and the 2011 Australian Open Tennis Final (30 January 2011) at their local pub or club.
The extended trading provided for the special events applies to registered clubs that have been granted a liquor licence since July 1, 2008.
Registered clubs which existed before this date have unrestricted trading hours – unless conditions have been imposed on the club’s licence to limit trading.
Licensed premises with high levels of alcohol-related incidents are subject to special licence conditions. Venues categorised as Level 1 under the Schedule are subject to a lockout period from 2:00am to 5:00am, during which time patrons are not allowed to enter the premises.
However an amendment has been made to the lockout time for the Level 1 hotels and registered clubs during the Asian Cup.
For Asian Cup matches involving Australia that commence at 2am the lockout period commences at 2.05am instead of 2am.
For matches commencing at 3.25am, the lockout period commences at 3.30am instead of 2am.
No change will be made to the lockout period if Australia is not involved in the game.
The extended trading does not apply to takeaway liquor sales.
For more information or details of specific games contact the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing on 02 9995 0894 or click here.