Higher liquor licensing fees softened after backlash

A plan for high liquor licensing fees for all hotels and clubs has been softened by the South Australian Government.

Smaller venues will now be charged $700 annually plus an additional $700 if they trade beyond 2:00am.

The initial plan had been to charge them $2,500.

Larger venues which beyond 4:00am will still have to pay a licence fee of $10,700.

SA Deputy Premier John Rau said industry had complained about the proposed higher impost.

"Although licensees became engaged late in the process, the Government has acknowledged and listened to the concerns about the unintended consequences of the current fees and is confident that the new framework will ensure that Adelaide remains a vibrant city with entertainment options for everyone," he said.

Australian Hotels Association CEO in SA, Ian Horne, said the change would be welcomed by many hundreds of small and medium hospitality operators required to pay the new fees.

"It's been an acknowledgment that in fact this industry isn't as vibrant, isn't as substantial as perhaps others would think and we welcome that. It's a good outcome," he said.

Mr Horne said the industry also felt comfortable with the idea of revitalising Adelaide's lanes by encouraging more cafes, dining and licensed premises in them.

But he said the Association was not convinced this needed more than a tweaking of existing laws to be achieved.

Source: ABC News, 13 June 2012