By Andy Young, editor TheShout
The NSW Government is wasting no time in implementing the key aspects of its response to the Callinan Review, including small bar licence changes, which were announced recently.
Some of the changes, namely extended trading hours for bottleshops and eligibility changes for small bar venues, will come into effect on Friday, 16 December 2016.
Minister for Justice Troy Grant said the new conditions for small bars include raising the patron limit from 60 to 100 and trading until 2am for eligible venues in the Sydney CBD and Kings Cross.
“We have brought forward these reforms so communities and businesses across NSW can take advantage of later trading times during the busy summer holiday period,” Mr Grant said.
“The extension of takeaway alcohol sales from 10pm to 11pm will be closely monitored by Liquor & Gaming NSW and evaluated annually.”
The Government also announced that it is progressing with its plans for the proposed changes for live music venues, which will be allowed to extend their 1.30am lockouts and 3am last drinks by 30 minutes each.
Grant added: “Liquor & Gaming NSW is working with the industry on how venues will be able to seek exemptions to extend lockout times from 1.30am to 2am and last drinks from 3am to 3.30am.
“Venues will be able to start applying by the end of the year, with exemptions to be granted from 16 January 2017.”
For specialty venues in the Kings Cross and Sydney CBD precincts, applications can still be made to Liquor & Gaming NSW for exemptions to restrictions on the sale of certain cocktails and straight spirits and liqueurs after midnight.
Not all takeaway alcohol businesses and small bars will be able to trade until these new times as local development consent and trading hour conditions may restrict operating hours for individual venues. Sunday trading times will remain at 10pm as they always have
