We’ve got a massive win for anyone who plans to spend New Years Eve in Sydney, the lockout laws will be pushed back to a later time, but for one night only.
As the guys at Musicfeeds (via The Daily Telegraph) point out, the NSW state government will temporarily alter the lockout timeframe in Sydney’s CBD. The government are said to be acting on the advice given by the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing, police and the City of Sydney, whom have expressed their concerns safety and of the crazy amount of foot traffic there would be from people leaving the harbour after the fireworks in attempt to making it to the entertainment precinct by 1:30am.
The lockout laws will still be in place for New Years Eve, they will merely be pushed back to 3am, and the remaining laws introduced at the start of the year will all be in full-swing, with 3am last drinks and the statewide closure of bottle shops from 10pm.
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Deputy Premier and liquor and hospitality minister Troy Grant has commented on the government’s decision, “Sydney is the greatest city in the world to spend New Year’s Eve and I want people to have fun, be safe and look after their mates, this is a commonsense approach for what is the biggest night on the Sydney calendar.”
“We recognise people want to celebrate the start of the New Year — but we also want to maintain there will be no change to the last drinks at 3am or the tough measures we have implemented to protect the community” he closed.
The controversial laws were set in place at the beginning of this year with the intention of reducing alcohol fuelled violence within the streets, which has been a point of contention after reports mere months ago suggested the laws had had an adverse effect. There has also been a recent call for the laws to be reviewed, with one large group stating that live music can rejuvenate Sydney’s CBD, in particular Kings Cross.
This may not be the exact result many hopeful Sydneysider’s were chasing, however it’s still most definitely a win, ensuring another incredible New Years Eve on the iconic harbour.
