New liquor regulations for NSW focus on drug related incidents
New Liquor Regulations have taken effect from the start of this month in NSW with changes including compulsory drug reporting.
Any venue required to maintain an incident register will also need to ensure they record incidents involving “possession or use on the premises of any substance suspected of being a prohibited plant or drug”.
The new NSW Liquor & Gaming requirement, which supersedes the Liquor Regulation 2008, will allow government to develop a better picture of how drugs are influencing behaviour in and around licensed premises.
The beleaguered Kings Cross precinct has seen some concessions, with the former Approved Managers system ditched, ending the $350 fee for a compulsory application process for any new manager. Other changes include cutting the former requirement to report hourly alcohol sales from 8pm every day.
Pubs in the precinct also no longer have to clear the footpath of litter, and can now take a refresher RSA course, rather than having to sit the whole course each time.
Laws have also changed concerning RSA marshals, who must now hold a current RSA competency card – bringing the rest of the state in line with the Sydney CBD and Kings Cross.
Sheridan Randall, 6th September 2018
