PROGRESS REPORT 1- "Little blokes" struggling with new Liquor Regulations

PROGRESS REPORT 1

Questions are being asked as to the eficiency and appropriateness of the new Community Impact Assessment B processes for smaller venues as the new Liquor Act for NSW experiences the first transactions for licensed premises.

Lets not forget that the Restaurant and Live Music industry in particular are very happy with the policy intent of the new regime, and that teething problems are expected after such a radical restructure of the legislation and the department.

Issues that are appearing are to do with the complexity and duplication in process with smaller venues approaching the variation of conditions after midnight or for new Restaurant licenses.

With an inititial  community consultation undertaken, a secondary  process with the lodgement of the  application and then a tertiary stage advising the local community of the outcomes,  applicants are starting to wonder whether the new process is in line with the direction and policy intent as tabled in the second reading speech with regards to licensing transactions and applications.