Earlier this year, the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (the Authority) updated Guideline 16, which governs the way in which it assesses applications that increase access to post-midnight gaming. The Guideline formerly applied to any application that, if approved, would result in increased availability of gaming machines after 12 midnight at a venue located in a Band 3 SA2, or after 2am at any venue. Now, it applies to any application that, if approved, would result in increased availability of EGMs after 12 midnight at any venue.
The Vibrancy Reform package passed by NSW Parliament in December 2023 include diverse changes applicable to many types of licensed businesses, with many gradually coming into effect throughout 2024. Licenced businesses can expect these changes to wholistically deliver a more favourable regulatory environment which creates greater operational certainty, particularly for those providing live music or special events.
The temporary provisions introduced during COVID-19 regarding approval for outdoor dining have been made permanent under the State Government’s recent Vibrancy Reform package. This means that the previously approved area will continue to be licensed while the land use remains an exempt development. However, businesses should note that any changes to the outdoor dining area require a new application to be lodged with Liquor & Gaming NSW.
In a move aimed at addressing gambling harm and preventing money laundering, the New South Wales (NSW) Government has implemented a series of reforms to the gaming sector.
BSV’s licensing team is pleased to have assisted Hurricane’s Grill, Castle Hill, on the recent approval of their on premises (restaurant) licence application. Hurricane’s Grill operates numerous steak and rib focused restaurants across Sydney and interstate, and their on-premises (restaurant) licence approval ensures their new Castle Hill premises may operate in line with the rest of their venues.
We are pleased to have assisted Urban Kitchen Green Square on the recent approval of their on-premises (restaurant) licence, which now permits the restaurant to supply and sell alcohol for consumption served with a meal. On-premises licences are increasingly fundamental to operating successful and popular restaurants in NSW as customer demand drives the need for alcoholic offerings alongside meals.
The temporary provisions introduced during COVID-19 regarding approval for outdoor dining have been made permanent under the State Government’s recent Vibrancy Reform package. This means that the previously approved area will continue to be licensed while the land use remains an exempt development. However, businesses should note that any changes to the outdoor dining area require a new application to be lodged with Liquor & Gaming NSW.
The licensing staff at BSV congratulate the team at Bankstown Fine Wine and Liquors on the recent approval of their packaged liquor licence (PLL) to operate within Bankstown’s new Spring Square development. Developed by Poly Australia, the Spring Square precinct is set to be a 14-storey mixed use development comprising residential apartments, retail tenancies, a health services facility and a child-care centre, with four other surrounding 11 storey residential towers.
The team at Back Schwartz Vaughan have successfully assisted the freehold owner [and the future tenant] revive a historic Sydney pub site in Alexandria. The site has a long history of use as a hotel. It was previously known as the Balaclava Hotel and later the Buckland Hotel and finally Fratelli Fresh, before the Licence lapsed.
BSV regularly acts for licensees that have been approached by the NSW Police or inspectors from the Compliance Branch of LGNSW regarding an investigation or incident at their licensed premises, or after they have been issued with a Penalty Notice or Infringement Notice and elected to appear before a NSW local court to defend it.
The Back Schwartz Vaughan team are pleased to have acted for The Distributors Mt Gambier with the use of a local South Australian Agent in the successful grant of a producer/ wholesaler licence allowing the supply of liquor as wholesaler in South Australia. The Distributors Mt Gambier is an Australian family owned and operated wholesaler located in South Australia established in 1990. It services the Southeast of Australia and border regions of Western Victoria. The Distributor are now able to offer their wholesale grocery customers liquor products as well.
The Back Schwartz Vaughan team are pleased to have acted for Ben Kresner and his company - The Whisky Experience Pty Limited, in successfully making an application for an internet packaged liquor licence. This type of liquor licence allows Ben to operate a virtual bottle shop which means he can sell or supply packaged liquor to customers by means of accepting and processing their orders electronically. Orders for liquor products will be processed at his now licensed home office but will not be stored there. When a sale has been made, a dispatch order will be sent to a third-party supplier for the order to be filled and delivered to the customer.
The BSV team are very pleased to have assisted the owners of the licensed vessel known as Inception in their successful transfer of licence application before the NSW Liquor and Gaming. The Police lodged a submission with the Liquor and Gaming requesting that numerous restrictive conditions be endorsed on the on-premises (vessel) licence – those conditions would restrict the way the business intended to operate. Our office was instrumental in putting forward a reply to the L&G that not only resulted in the transfer of licence application being confirmed by that Department but also in having only the conditions that the licensee agreed to, being endorsed on the Licence.
The Back Schwartz Vaughan team are pleased to have assisted The Whiskey Experience Pty Limited with their successful application for the grant an on-premises (catering services) licence endorsed with a sale on other premises authorisation. The liquor licence is a caterer’s licence, and while it applies to a home office at Rose Bay, it has the benefit of a sale on other premises authorisation, that allows the licensee to offer a unique educational whiskey masterclass experience to its customers and their guests at off-site occasions, functions and events.
