Calls for a review of licensing expenses

Local watering holes, already impacted by drought, are being made to fork out sky-high licensing fees comparable to some of the biggest pubs in QLD.

HIT AT THE HIP: Local pubs like the Ballandean Tavern are hit hard by sky-high licensing fees, comparable to some of the biggest establishments in Brisbane. Picture: Matthew Purcell

LOCAL watering holes, already impacted by the effects of drought, are being made to fork out sky-high licensing fees comparable to some of the biggest pubs in the state.

The Ballandean Tavern is charged a similar fee to the Breakfast Creek Hotel in Brisbane.

Member for Southern Downs James Lister took the pubs' cause to parliament this week, but his calls fell on deaf ears.

"This week I fought in Parliament to get cheaper licence fees for drought- affected pubs in our electorate ... but the ... government voted it down,” Mr Lister said.

"Pubs in the far north and west of Queensland get a special 90 per cent reduction in their fees. But here in Southern Downs, our many small pubs which are run as family businesses are suffering terribly from high costs and the drought.

"All I asked was that the Palaszczuk Labor government accept an amendment to allow the many drought-affected pubs in our neck of the woods to be given the same discount but they slammed the door in my face.

"Their owners work so hard and they need a break. If the pub goes, the community is one step closer to disappearing.

"All across Southern Downs, because we're suffering a terrible, terrible drought, business has contracted a lot for these pubs.

Member for Southern Downs James Lister at the Yangan Hotel Motel. Picture: Contributed

"They're not just pubs -- they're post offices, accommodation, a meeting place, the centre for communities in each district.

"The mums and dads who run them, because they're invariably small businesses, are doing it tough to continue to provide that service.

"So in our neck of the woods, pubs like the Ballandean Tavern and the pubs in Stanthorpe, which are not in any way comparable to a place like the Brekky Creek Hotel, are paying the same fees which is ridiculous.

Naomi Day, who runs the Ballandean Tavern with husband Stephen, says even a 50 per cent cut would make a huge difference.

"It is a lot of money at the end of the year - $7000. It is a struggle.

She said the expectation that they pay the same as significantly bigger places was 'crazy'.

"We'd love to see it change. Under $4000 (a year) would be fair. Maybe pay half of what these guys are paying. If they're getting a reduction up north then why isn't it being done here. It would make a huge difference.

"Definitely, there's a lot of the farmers who aren't coming in because they don't have the money,” she said.