Solotel battles Kings Cross restrictions

Kings Cross pub operator Solotel has won an injunction against laws proposed to dramatically restrict licence conditions of venues in the precinct.

Following the death of teenager Thomas Kelly the OLGR put forward severe restrictions on service of alcohol, citing 'secret data' that validates the move.

Solitel Hospitality Group (SHG), operators of the Kings Cross Hotel, has challenged the OLGR and won the right to see the supporting evidence. The regulator has seven days to respond to the decision.

The NSW Supreme Court agreed that in the interest of fairness the documents, described in court as secret data, should be made available.

Previous attempts to gain access to the apparently damning statistics were thwarted by the OLGR.

"If OLGR’s decisions are to be based on facts, why wouldn't they release this important information?" said Andrew Gibbs, SHG CEO. "We believe that regulatory decisions about the Kings Cross area should be based on all the available evidence, such as the fact that assaults in Kings Cross have dropped a dramatic 37 per cent over the past few years."

The 58 licensed venues affected by the new restrictions show no signs of accepting the impact on their businesses, with further developments inevitable over coming weeks.

The proposed restrictions would include: bans on shots, doubles and RTDs; glassware regulations and four drinks at a time purchase limit after midnight; two RSA officers after 11pm; cessation of alcohol sales one hour before doors close.
 

Source: The Shout, 3 September 2012