Sydney to remove last of lockout laws
The last of Sydney’s lockout laws will be scrapped next month, AAP report.
The laws shutting down drinks venues from 1.30am were removed from venues in Sydney’s CBD in January last year but had remained in Kings Cross.
From March 8, they will be removed from Kings Cross, as part of a NSW government bid to revive the area’s night-time economy, which was hit hard by the pandemic. Alcohol will be able to be served in the Cross until 3.30am – giving patrons an extra two hours of drinking and entertainment time.
Restrictions on particular drinks, shots, cut-price cocktails and glass tumblers after midnight will also go, as will the requirement for responsible service of alcohol marshalls and CCTV surveillance.
The laws were introduced in 2014 after the death of 18-year-old Thomas Kelly who was killed in a one-punch attack as he walked along a Kings Cross street.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the changes would boost jobs and revitalise the once-infamous Kings Cross precinct.
“Kings Cross has transformed considerably since these laws were introduced over six years ago,” she told The Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday.
“The precinct is now well-positioned to continue to evolve into a vibrant lifestyle and cultural destination with a diverse mix of small bars, live music venues and restaurants.”
Independent MP for Sydney Alex Greenwich, whose electorate includes Kings Cross, welcomed the change.
“Harmonising the licensing conditions with the rest of the Sydney CBD and Oxford Street is long overdue and will bring hope to businesses who have been doing it tough,” he said in a statement.
“Global cities don’t tell people when to go to sleep, they help them have a fun and safe night.”
Good morning everyone, and welcome back to our live coverage of Australian news and the coronavirus.
Both New South Wales and Victoria will be on high alert today, after both states reported new Covid-19 cases. In Victoria, another hotel quarantine worker tested positive, with no obvious safety breaches that could have led to transmission.
In NSW, a returned traveller who had completed 14 days of quarantine tested positive after 16 days, placing the Wollongong region on high alert.
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