Bridge Hotel requests lockout review
Image: The Bridge Hotel in Rozelle / Photo: gdaypubs.com.au
The Bridge Hotel in Rozelle is demanding a review of the 2am lockout placed on it by the NSW Office of Licensing, Gaming and Racing (OLGR).
The lockout was imposed after NSW police force voiced its concerns over serious, inebriated violence that occurred at and around the venue.
Leichhardt Liberal Councillor John Jobling supports the move, and said the technique of implementing lockouts or ‘lockdowns’ have a precedent in curbing alcohol-related violence.
“I know some of the lockdowns are flowing on by the State Government from Newcastle,” he said. “Newcastle ran this trial about three to four years ago and it was very effective.
“The establishments can still run a very successful band arrangement, but certainly the concept to control excessive drinking I support.”
In recent months, two incidents have resulted in injury to a person at the live music venue, but were not reported to police and the respective crime scenes had not been preserved. The lockout means no patrons are allowed to enter the venue after 2am.
Mr Jobling urged the public to enjoy themselves in a responsible manner and endorsed the lockout as necessary.
“I’m afraid measures have to be taken to protect both the band and the public from people who are behaving badly,” he said.
“It’s a pity when this happens in the district. It’s a pity when people go out and misbehave.
“It’s just so much easier, so much fun if they went to enjoy the band. I support the lockdown, I support the basis of making sure that they get it right and this stops happening.”
As part of the licensing conditions, the Bridge Hotel must comply with crime scene preservation guidelines, as the police have reported that failure to preserve the crime scene has had a negative impact on their investigation.
Failure to comply with a licence condition can result in a maximum penalty of $11,000 and/or up to 12 months imprisonment.
The most important crime scene prevention guidelines, as stated by the OLGR, include: immediate contact with the police as soon as an incident that leads to a crime scene occurs, preserving the crime scene from ignorant tampering, and obtaining and keeping all the witnesses segregated.
Police have cited 13 incidents between August 1, 2010 and November 18, 2012 where intoxicated patrons had to be removed from the venue.
A spokesperson for the OLGR confirmed the lockout decision was placed on hold on October 16, until the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority determines the merits of the review demanded by the Bridge Hotel. That is likely to occur in December.
The Bridge Hotel was contacted but declined to comment as the matter is currently under review.
