Throughout the review, feedback was received from a wide range of stakeholders including the public, community groups, councils, police, and the hospitality industry.
The review of ID scanners found the system has kept known troublemakers out of high-risk venues in Kings Cross and ensured patrons who break the law can be identified and held responsible for their actions.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Justice Troy Grant said the small bars review found they have added to the vibrancy of night-time economy with low rates of alcohol-fuelled violence. Its recommendations include:
- Increasing the maximum patron capacity from 60 to 100.
- Further reducing red tape for operators and speeding up new licence approvals.
- Allowing comparable existing general bar and on-premises licences to convert to a small bar licence free of charge for a 12 month period.
"The Government is holding stakeholder briefings on all alcohol reviews currently before Government and I am holding a meeting with Government MPs so they can share the views of their communities directly with me as we formulate our response," Grant said.
"Small bars were introduced by this Government in 2013 with the support of the City of Sydney and they have been a real success story.
"The number of small bars in NSW doubled between 2014 and 2015 as the community embraced them as a way of having a quiet drink and conversation in a safe and intimate setting.
"While Melbourne bangs on about its bars and laneways, in Sydney we have the bars, the beaches and the weather to actually enjoy them."
The reviews and fact sheets are available here: https://www.liquorandgaming.justice.nsw.gov.au/Pages/public-consultation/community-consultation/small-bars-legislation-review.aspx
