Review says Newcastle’s 10-year lockout laws to remain despite protests that venue operators “are being punished for the actions of those in the past”

Newcastle’s lockout laws will continue in the central business district, a review by the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) has decided.

The review agrees with the earlier recommendations in April of the Horton Review by Jonathan Horton QC to keep the restrictions, which were introduced in 2008 covering 14 venues to combat alcohol-fuelled violence in the club precinct.

The Horton Review declared the lockouts had been successful in this respect.

Remaining will be the patron lockout at 1am or 1:30 am for 2am or 2:30 closing times, certain spirits could not be served after midnight or stockpiled, and alcohol service had to stop 30 minutes before closing time.

He recommended two minor changes: venues no longer needed to use a common radio communication network and  venue management only had to revise plans on a lengthier period than every quarterly, depending on consultation with NSW Police.

Horton made his decision after consulting with 90 stakeholders including NSW Police, public health bodies, academics, licensed venues, industry bodies, private individuals and special interest groups.

The ILGA made just one further adjustment: that a Responsible Service of Alcohol marshal only needed to be on site after 11pm if the venue remained open after midnight.

Australian Hotels Association Newcastle/Hunter president Rolly De With was “disappointed” with the decision.

“Newcastle is not the place it was ten years ago, and the new generation of Newcastle music fans and responsible venue operators are being punished for the actions of those in the past.”

The review was conducted at the request of the AHA on behalf of the 14 music venues.

See the ILGA’s report HERE. 

This year saw the Newcastle live music take strides, with a roundtable and the subsequent setting up of a taskforce, while Newcastle Council set up a Newcastle After Dark Strategy to manage the city’s 1.36 billion night time economy responsibly.