The Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) invites feedback from the community and industry on a range of matters. You can find out what is happening in your local area and share your opinions on the following projects:
ILGA has published its final decision (PDF 235.6 KB) on the review of licence conditions for 14 hotel venues in the Newcastle CBD.
After ILGA's initial response to the review (PDF 156.0 KB) was published and communicated to stakeholders in April 2018, licensees had, under law, a period of 21 days to respond.
Following this period ILGA considered any submissions from licensees, and has now agreed to implement the findings as originally stated with one additional variation to a condition, as follows:
Only if premises trade after 12:00 midnight will a licensee need to retain an employee, from 11:00pm until closure, whose sole function is to supervise responsible service of alcohol practices at the bar, and to observe the responsible consumption of alcohol throughout the premises.
This final decision follows ILGA's consideration of the report prepared by Mr Jonathan Horton QC (the Horton Report), on his independent review of the conditions imposed on the liquor licences of the 14 hotels by the former Liquor Administration Board in 2008.
ILGA also considered the submissions received by Mr Horton during the review, and the submissions from the affected licensees in response to the Authority’s proposed changes to the conditions.
The Authority is taking action, as outlined in its final decision (PDF 235.6 KB) under section 53(2)(b) of the Liquor Act 2007, to vary and revoke some of the conditions that were imposed on the 14 hotels in 2008.
Key changes to conditions
ILGA has also decided to make no changes to:
The review was conducted by Mr Horton and gave the local community, police, businesses and other stakeholders a chance to have their say.
The review followed a request to ILGA by the Australian Hotels Association NSW on behalf of the 14 venues to consider revoking or changing some of the conditions.
ILGA appointed Mr Horton to conduct a broad review and consult all relevant stakeholders in the Newcastle community. The terms of reference for the review and a background paper are available here:
Stakeholders were invited to lodge submissions to have their say on the issues being considered.
Mr Horton conducted a process of public consultation between November 2017 and February 2018. More than 90 written submissions were received from a variety of stakeholders including NSW Police, public health bodies, academics, licensed businesses, industry bodies, private individuals and special interest groups.
On 9 May 2018 ILGA published its preliminary view that it would be appropriate to vary or revoke some of the conditions, and the proposed changes.
The 14 hotels were provided with an opportunity to comment on the proposed changes, and submissions were received from 12 of the hotels.
ILGA held a public meeting with the local community in Ropes Crossing about a packaged liquor licence application made by Liquorland (Australia) Pty Ltd.
The meeting was an opportunity for members of the community, including individuals and representative bodies, to share their views as to the benefits or negative impacts that are likely to arise as the result of the granting of this application.
The details of the meeting were as follows:
If you would like more information about the meeting please email ilga.secretariat@liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au.
You can view a copy of the application and accompanying Community Impact Statement on the Liquor and Gaming Application Noticeboard.
For information about how ILGA applies the social impact test, please refer to Authority Guideline 6.
ILGA held a public meeting with the local community about an application to move an existing packaged liquor licence from a premises in Tilba Tilba to a premises in Bermagui. It is proposed that the premises will operate as a BWS – Beer Wine Spirits liquor store.
The meeting was an opportunity for members of the community, including individuals and representative bodies, to share their views on potential impacts if the application is granted.
If you would like more information about the meeting please email ilga.secretariat@liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au or call 9995 0615.
You can view a copy of the application and accompanying Community Impact Statement on the Liquor & Gaming Application Noticeboard.
