Raise the Bar!

We do!

Its a courageous thing to go before not only the electorate, but the media as well, and do the business to try and make NSW a better place to be.

Certainly for cultural planning policy reform for NSW, the Iemma Government, including Graham West, Frank Sartor, and Virginia Judge have implemented some remarkable changes for this state that previous Governments for a generation were unable to deliver.

- Like the introduction of new and competitive Liquor laws, as well as the long overdue reform to the NSW Place of Public Entertainment PoPE  regulations.

Currently the polls are gloomy, the press behave like political ambulance chasers unable to cope with good news, and maybe many have forgotten so quickly that big changes have been made in a difficult area, -  but we haven't  -

So very well done, and thanks!.

We also note that no members of the Raise the Bar team are members of a political party ( although John Wardle is running as an independent candidate for the City of Sydney in Local Government elections on September 13, with Clr John McInerney and ClrClover Moore).

This week the City of Sydney Council table a proposal to fund new developments like small bars in city laneways with $$ for $$  funding under the Laneways Business Development Program

• The Laneways Business Development Program is a competitive grant program providing business mentoring assistance and matched cash funding up to $30,000 as a means of delivering structured business development support.

• The Laneways Business Development Program focuses on ‘finegrain’ business activity in the CBD.  ‘Finegrain’ businesses are small scale, diverse and innovative businesses that are likely to be engaged in specialist retail, hospitality and entertainment or will otherwise encourage activation of under-used spaces in city laneways and plazas with business activity that is currently undersupplied or non existent in the city centre.
  

• Matched cash grants will only be supplied to businesses demonstrating the Business Ready or Growth stages of development.

• The program will assist business with the costs associated with the establishment of the business, as such; there is no cap on the amount of the grant that can be used for capital expenditure under this program.  Funding can be used for capital expenditure items such as internal fitout, façade improvements, equipment and specialist IT equipment.  Up to 10% of the grant may be used for marketing and promotion activities.  Cash funding cannot be used for general operating costs, including but not limited to rent, utilities, payroll, and vehicle expenses
  

Under the new Section 79 complaints process that replaces the old section 104 system, complainants against licensed venues will have to state how long they have been in the vicinity of the premises, as well as if either premises has made structural changes or changes to the activity of the venue. Based on precedents in Queensland and South Australia, this should give more certainty and be a lot fairer to both venues and neighbours.

The whole package is looking more and more sensible by the minute.

Good work Minister Graham West and the OLGR team.

After what has been a  thrilling and most entertaining campaign, Raise the Bar team and supporters are today celebrating the  commencement of new liquor licenses for NSW.

Congratulations are due to Morris Iemma and his government, and especially Minister Graham West for safely piloting a progressive and balanced package through the consultation process and a complex political equation - not to mention expertly past certain characters who did their best to see him topped off through leaks to the press.

Congratulations are also in order for Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP, who's brilliant Small Bars and Restaurants Bill focussed public attention at a strategic time and took the initiative away from the Government, and kept the pace up - supported by Raise the Bar and an excellent campaign from the Sydney Morning Herald and the later consolidation from the Daily Telegraph.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP today issued a Media Release celebrating the introduction of the new laws and her plans for a new night economy - an inspiration for the increasing numbers of residents in the city who have been highly impressed with her vision and hard work.

We should also note that the live music industry are cheering from the rooftops about the potential now for groovy bars to play in that aren't designed around sport and gambling! YAY!.

Finally, whilst we are aware there are significant harm reduction measures in the new legislation, that shouldn't really worry premises that are responsibly managed or tipplers who keep it together when they head out for a night on the town.

Consider the Bar now Raised!

The Rasie the Bar team would like to send our best wishes to Coffs Harbour Nationals MP Andrew Fraser and his family in light of recent events, as well as to wish his daughter a speedy and full recovery.

Take care, and all the best.