Small bars are on their way to Sydney town

BY MICK ROBERTS

The woman credited with introducing small bars to Sydney said she is looking forward to liquor reforms shaping a new drinking culture within the city.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the biggest shake-up of the State?s liquor laws in a quarter of a century will lead to a greater choice for city residents and visitors, particularly those who do not want to drink in ?beer barns?.
The State Government?s new liquor legislation came into being this week, bringing comprehensive reforms to all sectors of the liquor industry.
While not all are happy with the sweeping changes, including the Australian Hotels Association, many have praised the new laws.
NSW Gaming and Racing Minister Graham West said the centre-piece of the reforms is the introduction of an administrative-based system to replace the role of the courts. The system is designed to reduce complexity and cost for industry, the community and government.
A spokeswoman for Minister West said under the liquor laws, licence categories have been simplified to support and encourage small bars, live music venues, wineries and tourism operators.
Bars without poker machines or that don?t sell takeaway liquor will be able to obtain a special type of hotel licence, to be known as a ?general bar? hotel licence.
Ms Moore said the laws allowing small bars could lead to young artists, musicians and entrepreneurs shaping a unique city night culture.
?I really hope to see a culture shift away from binge-drinking and anti-social behaviour to a more civilised night economy,? the State Member for Sydney said.
She said the Director of Liquor and Gaming will have powers to impose conditions on problem venues, allowing an easier path to close down rogue operators.
?The flexible licensing regime, which will complement the City of Sydney?s Late Night Development Control Plan, will finally encourage smaller more eclectic bars,? she said. ?I do note that a lot of young people supported my campaign for small bars because they said they were tired of attending venues filled with binge drinkers and I hope the new licensing regime will help move the culture away from this,? Ms Moore told The City News.