A new approach to licensing venues in the Sydney CBD and Kings Cross

The freeze on new liquor licences for hotels, registered clubs, nightclubs and packaged liquor outlets in the Sydney CBD and Kings Cross precincts ends on 30 April 2021.

Designated Cumulative Impact Areas Sydney Entertainment Precinct

The freeze is being replaced with a new, evidence-based approach to managing the higher concentrations of licensed premises in the precincts and their cumulative impacts.

The Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (Authority) has released a draft Cumulative Impact Assessment for public consultation. It sets out the proposed approach to managing liquor licensing applications in four areas of concern in the precincts, known as 'Cumulative Impact Areas', where cumulative impacts and risks of alcohol-related harm are greater.

Proposed Cumulative Impact Areas

The four proposed Cumulative Impact Areas include:

  • South CBD
  • Darlinghurst/Oxford Street
  • Wynyard Station and surrounds
  • Kings Cross

A new way to assess venue applications

The Authority will most likely not approve new higher-risk venues (or changes to existing high-risk venues like more late-night trading) in these Cumulative Impact Areas unless the applicant can make a compelling case about community benefits.

In specifying these proposed areas, the Authority has considered:

  • the number and type of licenced venues currently in each precinct
  • the ability of the local area to accommodate those venues
  • relevant evidence about their cumulative impacts, including alcohol-related crime data.

Due to ongoing risks in these areas, the Authority may need to consider additional measures before granting certain licence types, authorisations and approvals.

This new approach is expected to open new business opportunities in suitable areas while continuing to manage higher-risk locations. It will also provide:

  • the community with comfort that the Authority will manage risks in higher-risk locations
  • the industry with more certainty about what type of business proposals the Authority is more likely to view favourably.

Once finalised, the Authority will issue the 'Cumulative Impact Assessment' by publishing it on the Liquor & Gaming NSW website.

Tell us what you think

This consultation is an opportunity for stakeholders to have their say on the Authority's draft Assessment - particularly on the proposed four designated Cumulative Impact Areas within the Sydney CBD and Kings Cross precincts. 

You can do a quick poll, complete the survey or upload a submission. You can participate in as many ways as you choose.

Thank you for your feedback

This engagement closed on 31 March 2021. Thank you you for your input. We have reviewed your feedback and published submissions approved for publication under 'Your submissions'.

The new approach to managing liquor licensing applications in the precincts is set out in a Cumulative Impact Assessment and media release published on the Liquor & Gaming NSW website.

The freeze on new liquor licences for hotels, registered clubs, nightclubs and packaged liquor outlets in the Sydney CBD and Kings Cross precincts ends on 30 April 2021.

Designated Cumulative Impact Areas Sydney Entertainment Precinct

The freeze is being replaced with a new, evidence-based approach to managing the higher concentrations of licensed premises in the precincts and their cumulative impacts.

The Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (Authority) has released a draft Cumulative Impact Assessment for public consultation. It sets out the proposed approach to managing liquor licensing applications in four areas of concern in the precincts, known as 'Cumulative Impact Areas', where cumulative impacts and risks of alcohol-related harm are greater.

Proposed Cumulative Impact Areas

The four proposed Cumulative Impact Areas include:

  • South CBD
  • Darlinghurst/Oxford Street
  • Wynyard Station and surrounds
  • Kings Cross

A new way to assess venue applications

The Authority will most likely not approve new higher-risk venues (or changes to existing high-risk venues like more late-night trading) in these Cumulative Impact Areas unless the applicant can make a compelling case about community benefits.

In specifying these proposed areas, the Authority has considered:

  • the number and type of licenced venues currently in each precinct
  • the ability of the local area to accommodate those venues
  • relevant evidence about their cumulative impacts, including alcohol-related crime data.

Due to ongoing risks in these areas, the Authority may need to consider additional measures before granting certain licence types, authorisations and approvals.

This new approach is expected to open new business opportunities in suitable areas while continuing to manage higher-risk locations. It will also provide:

  • the community with comfort that the Authority will manage risks in higher-risk locations
  • the industry with more certainty about what type of business proposals the Authority is more likely to view favourably.

Once finalised, the Authority will issue the 'Cumulative Impact Assessment' by publishing it on the Liquor & Gaming NSW website.

Tell us what you think

This consultation is an opportunity for stakeholders to have their say on the Authority's draft Assessment - particularly on the proposed four designated Cumulative Impact Areas within the Sydney CBD and Kings Cross precincts. 

You can do a quick poll, complete the survey or upload a submission. You can participate in as many ways as you choose.

Thank you for your feedback

This engagement closed on 31 March 2021. Thank you you for your input. We have reviewed your feedback and published submissions approved for publication under 'Your submissions'.

The new approach to managing liquor licensing applications in the precincts is set out in a Cumulative Impact Assessment and media release published on the Liquor & Gaming NSW website.