Community Impact Statements
A Community Impact Statement (“CIS”) is required in the majority of applications made to the Casino Liquor & Gaming Control Authority (the “Authority”). A CIS will gauge potential impacts of new hotels, clubs, bottle shops, restaurants and other licensed venues on local communities. Licensed venues seeking to remove their existing licence to a new location or extended trading hours and certain changes to licensed areas will also be subject to this process.
The CIS is prepared before a liquor licence application is made in compliance with the 2007 Liquor Act, 2008 Liquor Regulation and the Authority’s Guidelines on such matters.
The primary test, namely, whether the overall social impact of the application will be detrimental to the well-being of the local or broader community, is addressed through the community engagement process and as part of the preparation of the CIS.
Therefore, the CIS will summarise the results of consultation by applicants with the local council or other local consent authority, police, health, Aboriginal representatives, relevant community organisations and the public. We uniquely address many of the consultation requirements of the CIS by directing identified persons, organisations or groups to our website where additional information is provided concerning the proposal and where an on-line survey can be completed to provide community feedback.
A properly prepared and carefully thought through CIS will assist the Authority in considering the likely impact of an application on the local and broader community, gauge the community’s attitude to the proposal and assist the application’s success.
Whilst the concept of a CIS accompanying licensing applications was introduced in NSW on 1 July 2008, the process of determining the likely social impact of licensing applications has been a requirement for many licensing applications since August 2004.
We have extensive experience with licensed venues in NSW and the types of impacts that are unique to each. We have represented the applicant or submitter in more social impact assessments under the former Legislation than any other legal adviser in NSW. As such, we are sought after by those in the hospitality industry to assist with their licensing requirements with expert advice offered in the most difficult and complex matters right through to those that are very simple or straightforward.
Should you require assistance with a CIS or licensing application, please do not hesitate to contact Tony Schwartz for an obligation free discussion or quote.
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