Small-bar laws for Adelaide CBD pass through SA Parliament, could extend to suburbs
SMALL-BAR licences could be extended to the suburbs after a year if they prove successful in Adelaide's central business district. Question time, live from 2pm
SMALL-BAR licences could be extended to the suburbs after a year if they prove successful in Adelaide's central business district.
MPs last night passed laws to create a new class of liquor licence for venues with a capacity of 120 or less in the city.
The new licences will be cheaper and more streamlined than current options, in a bid to encourage young entrepreneurs to open small venues and enliven the city's laneways.
The venues can open from 11am to midnight. Licensees can apply for an extension to 2am.
The venues can offer live entertainment without having to apply for separate approval, but the licences do not permit gaming.
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The new licences will be limited to the Adelaide CBD for 12 months, after which they could be extended to other areas such as Glenelg, by regulation.
Gail Gago, the Government leader in the Upper House, said it was "highly likely" councils would ask the Government to extend the licences to develop suburban entertainment strips.
The Opposition had initially argued the licences should restrict venues to a capacity of 80 people and the Australian Hotels Association had wanted a capacity of 100 or less.
The Opposition also raised concerns about the removal of the right of nearby residents and businesses to object to applications for the small venue licences.
In Parliament yesterday, Liberal MP Stephen Wade said the Liberals had "been consistent in our support for small bars while strongly advocating for community interests".
AHA SA general manager Ian Horne said the association felt the 120-person limit was too high but had "not lobbied in any way to stop" the laws.
Business Services and Consumers Minister John Rau said the licence category could be applied to "restaurants, art galleries, live music venues and other new and interesting spaces in the city".
"This will change the way Adelaide is perceived by many young people and help to keep young entrepreneurs in our state," he said.
Last week Opposition Leader Steven Marshall said his party would not block the legislation.
AT A GLANCE
The new laws will:
ALLOW small venues to open from 11am to midnight - with the ability to apply for an extension to 2am;
ENABLE small venues to offer live entertainment without having to apply for separate approval;
NOT permit gaming;
LIMIT the number of patrons in those venues to 120 people; and
REMOVE the right of nearby residents or businesses to object.