The Property Council of Australia has welcomed today’s announcement by Premier Iemma of reforms to shake-up NSW liquor laws to enable restaurants to serve alcohol without meals and small bars to operate without hefty licensing fees.
“We strongly welcome today’s announcement to facilitate a more cosmopolitan bar culture in NSW,” said NSW executive director Ken Morrison.
“The Iemma Government has clearly listened to community sentiment and they’ve responded by delivering a package of reforms which reflect the community’s desire for more variety of drinking venues.
“The decision to bin restrictive licensing laws of yesteryear gives our city centres a healthy vibrancy boost.
“Anything which makes our city centres more vibrant makes them better places to work, visit and have fun. And that is good for business.”
The Property Council was one of the first groups to publicly back Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore’s push for licensing reforms.
The NSW Government’s liquor laws reform package includes abolishing the ‘drink-or-dine’ rule for restaurants and slashing licence costs for small operators from $15,000 down to $500.
“Abolishing restrictive licensing laws sets the scene for Sydney to develop an eclectic mix of bars - large and small - and paves the way for Sydneysiders to be able to enjoy a glass of wine at an outdoor restaurant without having to order food,” Mr Morrison said.
The Property Council said today’s announcement represented good news for business in NSW.
“The business case for small bars in NSW is really a no brainer.
“Reforms which inject greater competition into Sydney’s bar culture are good for business.”
The Property Council said the reforms are an important ingredient to help secure the long term growth and success of places like the Sydney CBD.
“There have been great strides towards revitalising Sydney CDB over the last two decades.
“Today’s reforms are a natural extension of this evolution and should be supported.”
Contact:
Ken Morrison, NSW Executive Director, 02 9033 1906 or 0412 233 715
