By Vanessa Cavasinni, editor Australian Hotelier
Liquor and Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) – the amalgamation of the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR) and the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority – announced that they will be extending the liquor licence freeze in the Sydney CBD and Kings Cross precincts.
The extension of ban means that most liquor licences will not be granted in the Sydney CBD until 19 February 2017, and in the Kings Cross precinct also until February 2017, with a date as yet to be specified.
The freeze also means that operators with existing licenses in these precincts cannot expand their trading capacity or operating hours.
According to the Liquor & Gaming NSW website: “The extension allows for completion of the Callinan Review and consideration of its findings, ensuring measures implemented to address alcohol-related violence in these precincts remain unchanged while the review is in progress.”
The Keep Sydney Open campaign, which opposes the current lockout laws in the CBD and Kings Cross is continuing to gain traction, with multiple news outlets reporting that surveys on the subject show there is growing opposition to the destruction of Sydney’s nightlife.
Liquor & Gaming NSW also announced this week that from 1 March, the Australia Post Keypass identity card will be a valid form of identification for all New South Wales licensed venues.
