Minister for Justice and Police Announces ‘Festive Season Blitz’ of Licensed Venues

Deputy Premier and Minister for Justice and Police, Troy Grant, has announced that inspectors from the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR) will be targeting licensed venues this Christmas and New Year.

Mr. Grant said inspectors will be deployed across Sydney and regional locations including the Central West, North Coast and Hunter as part of a ‘festive season blitz’ operation that started over the weekend.

Sydney locations to be targeted include the CBD, Kings Cross, Darling Harbour, Pyrmont, Balmain, Rozelle, Manly, Newtown, Parramatta and the North Shore. Regional locations include Dubbo, Coffs Harbour, Central Coast, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle. Inspectors will also be monitoring licensed vessels on Sydney Harbour.

Mr. Grant said compliance checks and audits will be conducted throughout the summer period up to and including Australia Day.

They will focus on venue management and operating procedures, including responsible service of alcohol, management of patron behaviour to reduce alcohol-related violence, service of alcohol to minors and irresponsible liquor promotions including on social media.

“I encourage people to go out and enjoy themselves with friends and family over these holidays, but our priority is that they get home safely and in one piece,’’ Mr. Grant said.

“That’s why the OLGR and the NSW Police Force conduct targeted inspections of licensed venues across the state to ensure they are operating responsibly and with a firm focus on community safety,” Mr. Grant said.

“This includes ensuring proper management and operating procedures are in place to support responsible service of alcohol and prevent intoxication of patrons, as well as other potential harms including alcohol-related violence.’’

Mr. Grant said OLGR Inspectors will be reviewing venue business practices and procedures and asking venues to take steps to fix them if needed.

“However I want licensed venues to know we take an absolute zero-tolerance approach to serious breaches of liquor laws and we won’t hesitate to throw the book at rogue venues.’’

Print PDF