Spread small bars to North Adelaide, licensing review urges
Small bars should be allowed to open in North Adelaide and patrons should be able to buy alcohol at restaurants without ordering food, an independent review of the state’s liquor licensing laws recommends.
Photo: Nat Rogers, InDaily.
Former Supreme Court Judge Tim Anderson’s 129 recommendations, released today as part of his full report to the State Government, also include “clearer controls” on supplying liquor to minors at events such as after-parties.
“The Small Venue Licence has become associated with the Adelaide CBD which is good for the CBD and the promotion of tourism within that precinct,” Anderson’s review reads.
However, “it makes sense to extend the boundary to include North Adelaide, and a new boundary defined”.
Under Anderson’s recommendations, venues outside the CBD and North Adelaide would also be able to open premises, for example, “with a capacity of over 120 on the Norwood Parade or on Jetty Road, Glenelg” that would be able to make an application for an On-Premises Licence, although these would be more expensive than a Small Venue Licence.
The review also recommends:
- Giving local councils the ability to enforce short-term alcohol-free dry zones, for a maximum of 48 hours.
- Allowing venues to sell or supply alcohol at a number of events per year, rather than applying for individual liquor licences for each event.
- Simplifying licence applications to a single form.
- Removing the need to place a notice in local and state-wide newspapers when a liquor licence application is lodged.
- Scrapping the process of objecting to liquor licences, in favour of a process of accepting “submissions”.
Attorney-General John Rau said in a statement that Anderson’s recommendations “support a modern liquor licensing system that encourages a competitive market, reduces red tape, promotes vibrancy and a safe drinking culture”.
He said the Government would be “considering his findings in detail”.
“In the nearly two decades since our liquor licensing laws were last reviewed, the number of licences in operation has nearly doubled,” said Rau.
“A review was needed to ensure our licensing regime can keep up with the changing face of the industry and community expectations.
“Mr Anderson rightly acknowledges in the review that South Australia has world-class wineries, seafood and fresh produce which should be celebrated, promoted and showcased through our restaurants, bars, entertainment and tourist precincts.”
More to come…
